2023 has been an exciting year to some but to others it has been a sad year because they lost their loved ones. Some of these people who died are famous people, and the sad news of their deaths brought sorrow not to their family only but to their fans and followers as well. we will look at 16 Mzansi Celebrity Deaths of 2023 and their Causes.
No1 is Bongi Ntuli who died on 5 November 2023, Cause of Death – Cancer
Bonginkosi Ntuli was known as a soccer player and the striker for AmaZulu FC. His death is one of the latest deaths that shocked the nation of Mzansi. He died on the 5th of November after succumbing from an aggressive form of cancer two months after his lavish wedding in which he married his sweetheart and CEO of AmaZulu. Bongi had a successful career and love life as a young man, everyone was looking forward to his amazing future. [1]
No2 is Zoleka Mandela, died on 25 September 2023, Cause of Death- Cancer
Known as Mandela’s grandchild, a writer and an activist, is Zoleka Mandela who recently passed away after succumbing from cancer. She was treated for breast cancer in 2011, which returned in 2016. In 2022 she revealed that cancer had spread through out most of her organs including lungs, liver, ribs, brain, spinal cord and hips. On 25 September 2023 Zoleka passed away from terminal cancer and she was buried in Fourways Memorial Park.
No3 and No4 is AKA and Tebello Motsoane, died on 10 February 2023, Cause of Death- Shot to death
Kiernan Jarryd Forbes who was professionally known as AKA, a rapper, businessman and a musician, and his friend Tebello Motsoane were assassinated on 10 February 2023. AKA was scheduled to perform at Yugo nightclub in Durban as part of his birthday celebrations on that day. He was standing outside a Wish restaurant with his friend Tebello Motsoane when two gun men fired and shot AKA and his friend to death. The two gunmen then fled the scene on foot. Forbes and Motsoane were pronounced dead at the scene. The whole incident was taken on security cameras but police couldn’t identify the two assassins and no one is yet arrested until today.
No5 is Costa Titch, died on 11 March 2023, Cause of Death – Unknown
Costa Titch was an Amapiano rapper, dancer and artist whose death came a month after AKA’s death. He died on 11 March 2023 after collapsing twice on stage. His autopsy was never published so was the cause of his death. After his death, his mother promised via an Instagram post that she will never rest until she finds out what happened to him. In another post, she said: “Love you forever, my son. I will always be so proud of you.”
No6 is Patrick Ndlovu, died on 30 May 2023, Cause of Death – Natural Causes
Patrick Ndlovu was famously known for Imbewu the seed, Yizo Yizo and Zone 14. He passed away on 30 May 2023 from natural causes. He was 85 years old when he died and left behind his wife, Kellina Sonto Ndlovu and his daughter, Nomvuyo Ndlovu, as well as two daughters from his previous relationships. [2]
No7 is Vusi Ma R5, died on 30 January 2023, Cause of Death – Shot to death
Barcadi music pioneer Vusi Ma R5 whose real name was Itumeleng Mosoeu was assassinated after performing at the club of Legentsheng in Soshanguve. The tragic event happened in the early hours of Monday the 30th of January 2023 when he was shot to death.
No8 is Mark Pilgrim, 05 March
2023, Cause of Death – Lung Cancers
Veteran Radio and Television presenter Mark Pilgrim was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in March 2022, which he revealed in June had spread to his femur, the base of his spine and lymph nodes. Following his diagnosis, the radio presenter launched a YouTube video series chronicling his recovery journey. After some radiation therapy, Mark revealed that he was recovering. Unfortunately his situation worsened and he passed away on the 5th of March 2023.
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No9 is Angie Oeh, 20 August 2023, Cause of Death – Lung Cancer
Angelique Eurika Greeff who was professionally known as Angie Oeh, an Afrikaans mumble rapper died of Lung Cancer on 20th of August 2023. She was diagnosed of cancer on 12 August 2023 and through a BackaBuddy campaign, donations had accumulated to R278 000 to cover her R200 000 medical expenses.
No10 is Gloria Bosman, Died on 14 March 2023, Cause of Death- Respiratory illness
A jazz singer, musician, composer and teacher Gloria Bosman is one of those celebrity whose deaths shocked the nation. The singer got sick for a very short period of time from respiratory related illness and she passed away. She died on 14 March 2023 few days after launching her new album live and she was on promotional tour. [3]
No11 is Lentswe Bhengu Mafoko, Died on 28 February 2023, Cause of Death- Short illness
Celebrity Chef and television host Lentswe Bhengu died on 28 February 2023 this year after suffering from a very short illness. He was still receiving treatment from Sandton Medi-clinic when he passed away. Lentswe was known for several television shows including US-commissioned series Africa on a Plate and local shows KFC Taste Kitchen. He co-hosted the BBC Lifestyle show The Great South African Bake Off and Flava Queens. He was also on Mzansi Magic’s Celebrity Mystery Box.
No12 is James Alexander, Died on 28 April 2023, Cause of Death- Cancer
Professionally known as James Gracie was an actor and producer who died on 28 April after succumbing from cancer. The actor was first diagnosed with cancer in 2019 but his wife decided to keep it private to James’ fans and followers. By 2023 when James died, it was revealed that the cancer was of the head and neck.
No13 is Marietje Bothma, Died on 29 May 2023, Cause of Death- Unknown
Marietje who was known as Zulu lady in white skin because of her fluent isiZulu passed away on 29 May 2023. She was an actress and media personality who appeared on several dramas and commercial adverts using the Zulu language as a way of communication. As a result, most people fell inlove with her character. Details concerning the cause of her death were never published so South Africans were left wondering what could have happened to her.
No14 Eusebius Mckaiser, Died on 30 May 2023, Cause of Death – epileptic seizure
Eusebius was a political analyst, journalist and broadcaster who died from epileptic seizure on 30 May 2023. According to his close associates, Eusebius never showed an signs of being sick of the disease so it came as a surprise to them. The late broadcaster was not just into journalism alone but he also wrote several books and criticized the ruling party of ANC for failing to fix the issue of loadshedding. [4]
No15 is Gogo Mathambo, Died on 22 November 2023, Cause of Death – mild flu
Sithembele Clearance Gaju professionally known as Gogo Mathambo and presenter of Moja Love show Fake Gobela passed away on 22 November 2023 after a short illness of mild flu. The show Fake Gobela exposed fake sangomas which angered some of those sangomas who ended up threatening him. They sent him text messages warning him to stop exposing them, but as a brave young man he continued. It is believed that the sangomas killed him because they angry at him, they even told him that he won’t see December but the presenter claimed to be strong enough spiritually.
No16 is Lebohang Mpyana, Died on 1 November 2023, Cause of Death – Headache
Actress and social media personality Lebohang Mpyana died on the 1st of November after succumbing to an unknown short illness. The actress had reported of well being, that she wasn’t feeling well and had a headache but possibly thought it pass. She later passed away but no information of what exactly led to her death. The actress rose to fame in 2021 after starring in Mzansi Magic drama series DiepCity as Khelina.