Year in Review: South Africans pay tribute to the legendary actor, Menzi Ngubane
Menzi Ngubane, who is best known for his iconic roles on 'Generations', 'Yizo-Yizo', and 'Isibaya', passed away in 2021.
If you grew up watching the popular TV soap Generations, then you would definitely remember Menzi Ngubane. The veteran actor starred as 'Sibusiso Dlomo', a popular villain both loved and hated by many between 2003 and 2014.
In addition to Generations, he also starred in Yizo Yizo and Gold Diggers. His most recent big-name role saw him featuring as 'Judas' in 'Isibaya'. He also starred in a movie alongside Hollywood's Samuel L. Jackson, called 'In My Country', back in 2004.
READ: Listen: 'Generations' actor Menzi Ngubane talks surviving kidney failure
In late 2018, East Coast Radio's Damon Beard had an opportunity to interview the legendary actor who shared intimate details over his battle with kidney failure.
Back in 2004, he was diagnosed with kidney failure and was on the list for a kidney transplant. During the time, there was a lot going on in his life, and he had to juggle it all.
You can listen to that interview in the podcast below:
His family confirmed the 56-year-old suffered a stroke at home in March of this year.
Ngubane was born in Ladysmith in 1964. Over the past ten years, Ngubane spent much of his time in trying to demystify issues relating to kidney disease and sugar diabetes while promoting positive lifestyle changes needed to cope with the diseases.
Between 2010 and 2015, Ngubane’ s numerous struggles with kidney failure resulted in him being placed on a kidney recipients list and ultimately received a donor, ensuring he continued and sustained his acting career until recently.
"As a family we wish to thank everyone for their continued and sustained support and the prayers for our beloved son whose battle with kidney failure & sugar diabetes had become an open secret over the years. We wish to mourn the passing of our beloved son in private and will communicate the funeral and other arrangements in due course," said a family spokesperson.
He is survived by his wife Sikelelwa and two daughters.
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