In 2014 we’ve said goodbye to iconic SA legends and young celebrities gone before their time. Among the stars we’ve lost are Senzo Meyiwa, Lesego Motsepe and Lulu Dikana. Bona pays tribute to them and many others.
Lesego Motsepe
South African actress Lesego Motsepe died of cardiac arrest in January this year. The 39-year-old AIDS activist who was best known for playing Letti Matabane on SABC 3’s Isidingo from 1998 to 2008 was found dead in her Randburg flat by her brother.
Lulu Dikana
Singer and songwriter Lulu Dikana passed away from a short illness in December. Nothing about the star’s cause of death has been confirmed but our deepest condolences go out to her family. Younger sister to talented singer, Zonke Dikana, Lulu was starting to make some strong moves in the industry and she was widely hailed as a talent to watch in the future.
Senzo Meyiwa
Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates team captain was shot dead while at his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s home on 26 October. Senzo was at the peak of his career when this unfortunate incident happened. He left behind three children.
Phindile Mvelase
Another great sport star that passed on this year was Phindile Mvelase. The female boxer died after being in a coma for weeks, following an injury she suffered as a result of a boxing fight.
Mbulaeni Mulaudzi
Still on sports stars, on the 24 of October, SA lost one of its best athletes, Mbulaeni Mulaudzi. He died in a car crash at the age of 34. He was en-route to an Athletics South Africa athletics meeting when his car overturned.
Thembelihle Mbanjwa
Vocalist Thembelihle Mbanjwa passed away in a car accident on the early hours of 1 December. The 31-year-old Joyous Celebration member had been travelling by car to Johannesburg from a performance in Kimberly.
Abednigo Shaka Ngcobo
Veteran football player Abednigo Ngcobo died from a heart attack aged 64. Nicknamed Shaka, he played for Kaizer Chiefs for 12 years. Ngcobo had complained of chest pains while at home in Alexandra, and later died after a few hours in November.
Eddie Zondi
SA lost a legend in the host of the Romantic Repertoire, Eddie Makhosonke Zondi. Eddie fell ill in the early hours of the 16 June complaining of chest pains. He was rushed to the hospital but died on arrival. Zondi had been one of Metro FM’s most popular voices for 18 years. Many callers described him as “the best on radio”. He was 47 years old when he died.
Mario Oriani-Ambrosini
Popular IFP MP Mario Oriani-Ambrosini decided to take his own life in August following a long battle with lung cancer. Ambrosini had announced he was diagnosed with the terminal disease in 2013. He had since lobbied government to legalise marijuana, because research showed that it made the pain bearable. He himself reject chemotherapy treatment because it would affect the quality of his life.
Pictures: Supplied
