Legendary playwright, actor and apartheid activist Winston Ntshona died after battling with an illness for eight years. The Tony award-winning actor was most famous for plays such as Woza Albert and Sizwe Banzi is Dead. Fellow theatre legend and friend, John Kani joined many South Africans who took to social media to express their condolences.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
FULL STATEMENT: Minister @NathiMthethwaSA on the passing of @ArtsCultureSA #LivingLegend And Pioneering Thespian Dr Winston Ntshona. #RIPWinstonNtshona pic.twitter.com/9g1PqFJDOz
— Arts & Culture (@ArtsCultureSA) August 2, 2018
A giant of South African Theatre has fallen with the passing of legendary Actor & Playwright, ubaba Winston Ntshona; who was a Lifetime Achievement Award Winner at the South African Film TV Awards & a dedicated member of the @ArtsCultureSA Living Legends Legacy Programme (LLLP) pic.twitter.com/IBpF6NT6fQ
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) August 2, 2018
It is with great sadness that I received the news of the passing of my dearest brother Winston Ntshona this morning in Pirt Elizabeth. To his wife and family I share your pain. He was my brother. John Kani
— JohnKani (@JohnKani2) August 2, 2018
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A scene from “The Island” Winston Ntshona & John Kani #RIPWinstonNtshona #Theatre ??✊? pic.twitter.com/hu1iG9sI7F
— Modibe Modiba (@Modibe_Theatre) August 2, 2018
“Why am I here? I am getting jealous of your freedom. I want to count. But what do I count inside here? My life? How do I do it? Help me.” -The Island. #RIPWinstonNtshona pic.twitter.com/FuEu2DbjZE
— Portia Gumede (@portiagumedesa) August 2, 2018
The entire team at The Naledi Theatre Awards sends it’s deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of #WinstonNtshona. An actor of true modesty and depth. #RIPWinstonNtshona pic.twitter.com/D6MBfss8UB
— Naledi Awards (@NalediAwardsSA) August 2, 2018
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Their swansong together was Sizwe Banzi Is Dead and I was spellbound in the audience. What a loss to to his family, to the arts and to SA as a whole. #RIPWinstonNtshona pic.twitter.com/EHMYLg5xuZ
— Xolisa Dyeshana (@XolisaDyeshana) August 2, 2018
It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of one of SA’s prolific Actors and Playwright – Winston Ntshona
Born 6 October 1941 in Port Elizabeth. Rest in peace fellow thespian and thank you for your contribution to the arts #RIPWinstonNtshona pic.twitter.com/LdNn9QfqAa— SA State Theatre (@sastatetheatre) August 2, 2018
My uncle Winston, I promise you one thing Nkomo, I will make sure your legacy as a history maker & greatest thespian of our time lives on.
I will miss our times “pal wam”. Love, Nkomoshe #RIPWinstonNtshona #WinstonNtshona pic.twitter.com/fAVx2x5AYd
— Nambitha Ben-Mazwi (@LadyNam_BM) August 2, 2018
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#WinstonNtshona was given a LifeTime Achievement Award together with John Kani in 2005. He & Kani performed in the original “Sizwe Banzi is Dead” at Des & Dawn’s Soiree before it was permissible, to sold-out houses. He gave a riveting performance. #RIPWinstonNtshona pic.twitter.com/ifpWIhbQso
— Naledi Awards (@NalediAwardsSA) August 2, 2018
I remember seeing him for the first time in A Dry White Season, what a talented man #RIPWinstonNtshona https://t.co/FESp8UXhEG
— Vuyolwethu Ngcukana (@vuyomse) August 2, 2018