By Tamlyn Canham
The entertainment industry is still reeling from shock following the death of veteran actor, Menzi Ngubane.
The 56-year-old died of a stroke on Saturday.
He was known for his award-winning roles on popular shows such as ‘Generations’, ‘Yizo Yizo’, and ‘Isibaya’.
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Menzi Ngubane on Kaya 959
Menzi has spoken openly about his battle with diabetes and kidney disease in the past. He stopped by Kaya 959 in 2019 to talk about his health struggles in the hopes of educating others.
“For me I was not quiet. I just talked about being diabetic. When I started talking about then I partnered with SANOFI. They said ‘you talk about it and when know celebs they don’t talk about these things always because they want to paint themselves as if they are so perfect.
“And you find that many of us, we have problems, many of us we are sick, many of us have different things that are happening.”
Tributes for a legend
Connie Ferguson, who worked with Menzi in the past, was overcome with heartache.
“Ngubs!!! [crying emojis] This is too much! May God give Sike and the Ngubane family strength and courage to deal with this loss! You are in our prayers! I am seriously at a loss! As legends never die, you live on in our hearts and your amazing library of work!” she wrote.
Actress Linda Mtoba said she had a huge lump in her throat when she met Menzi for the first time. The ‘Isibaya’ star said he will be greatly missed.
“I felt [like] the room would swallow me whole. How could I work with such greatness? Am I even deserving? The very first thing he said to me when he walked in was ‘nayi indondakazi yam’. He gave me a huge warm hug and said we’re gonna have fun. I couldn’t believe it,” she wrote on Instagram.
Many also paid tribute to actress Noxolo Maqashalala, who was found dead in her home on Friday.
SABC is reporting that Menzi Ngubane has passed on.
Thank you for the memories pic.twitter.com/hVfULBC3ab
— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) March 13, 2021
Blow after blow. 2 Greats, 2 seasoned storytellers are no more. 🕊💔 So blessed to have experienced their brilliance in this lifetime. 🙏🏽
May they rest in perfect paradise ✨ #RIPMenziNgubane #RIPNoxoloMaqashalala pic.twitter.com/Mbhoy4nd25
— Candice Modiselle (@CandieModiselle) March 13, 2021
What a loss! What a legend 🙏🏽🕊 #RIPMenziNgubane pic.twitter.com/mmtW8ze6pg
— 16V (@L_Tido) March 13, 2021
I’ve been quite because I’ve been processing 🥺🥺🥺🥺I’m still battling! Ours was a love story crafted in television land, and you’ll forever remain Ntombi’s soulmate. #somahashi #ngubane pic.twitter.com/m2KMJMThxT
— Sonia Mbele (@TheeSonia) March 14, 2021
Funeral arrangements
Menzi Ngubane’s family said in a statement that they wish to mourn his passing in private, but would communicate funeral arrangements in due course.
The actor’s family also praised him for speaking out about diabetes and kidney disease.
“Over the past ten years, the Ladysmith-born actor spent much of his time trying to demystify issues relating to kidney disease and diabetes while promoting positive lifestyle changes needed to cope with the diseases,” the family said in a statement.



