Top South African celebrities who died as of 2025 and their causes of death

From legendary actors and celebrated musicians to influential media personalities, the list of South African celebrities who died as of 2025 highlights the immense talent the nation has lost. Their contributions to film, music, television, and sports not only shaped the country’s cultural landscape but also resonated with audiences worldwide.

Key takeaways

• These stars significantly shaped South Africa’s cultural and entertainment landscape, leaving lasting legacies.
• The causes of death vary, including natural causes, illnesses, and tragic accidents.
• Honouring their memories helps preserve their contributions to South African arts and media.
• This list serves as a tribute to the icons who inspired millions and continue to influence future generations.

South African celebrities who died as of 2025

The South African entertainment world continues to mourn the celebrities who died recently, marking yet another year of profound loss. This list features actors, musicians, TV personalities, and cultural icons whose work shaped the nation’s arts.

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Below is a breakdown of profiles, ages, and causes of death, along with pictures and videos of celebrities who died as of 2025 that honour their lives and legacies.

1. Meme Ditshego

• Year of birth: May 1965
• Demise: 25 June 2025
• Age at death: 60 years

Meme Ditshego headlines the list of South African celebrities who died in 2025. The late actress is best known for roles in television series such as Ga Re Dumele and The Coconut.

She had a long and illustrious television career that began with her debut in 1997 through SABC 2's Afrikaans drama series Sterk Skemer, while portraying Elsie. The actor died on the evening of 25 June 2025, aged 60.

2. Phumlani Msibi

• Year of birth: 15 December 1967
• Demise: 20 June 2025
• Age at death: 57 years

Phumlani Msibi is yet another prominent figure on the 2025 death list. He was a legendary presenter, sports anchor, and football and boxing commentator. Msibi reportedly died after a short illness at the age of 57.

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3. Presley Chweneyagae

• Year of birth: 19 October 1984
• Demise: 27 May 2025
• Age at death: 40 years

Presley Chweneyagae, Star of the Oscar-winning film Tsotsi, died at 40 in Johannesburg. Presley's sudden death came after he began experiencing respiratory problems. His passing was confirmed by his talent agency, MLA, which described him as one of the nation's "most gifted and beloved actors." The cause of death has not been disclosed.

4. Don Mlangeni Nawa

• Year of birth: 7 June 1959
• Demise: 16 April 2025
• Age at death: 65 years

Don Mlangeni was a South African actor. He is best known for his roles in television series such as 'Sgudi 'Snaysi, Isidingo and The Throne. In 2018, the thespian was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Royalty Soapie Awards. Don Mlangeni died on 16 April 2025. The cause of his death has not been made public.

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5. Yolanda 'Yallunder' Nyemezi

• Year of birth: 23 August 1994
• Demise: 13 March 2025
• Age at death: 30 years

Yallunder was a popular South African singer and songwriter. She was born and raised in Bizana. The late musician signed her first record deal with 1020 carel, thereafter releasing her first EP, Uthando Lwam, in 2020.

She died at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg after fighting 'months of illness', according to a statement from the family.

6. Crystal-Donna Roberts

• Year of birth: 13 October 1984
• Demise: 6 March 2025
• Age at death: 40 years

Crystal-Donna Roberts was a South African writer, presenter, and actress. She has featured in films such as The Endless River (2015) and Krotoa (2017). The actor died at her home in Cape Town, surrounded by family, after losing her battle with breast cancer.

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7. Winnifred 'Winnie' Khumalo

• Year of birth: 20 July 1973
• Demise: 7 January 2025
• Age at death: 51 years

Winnie Khumalo was a famous South African Afropop and Kwaito singer, actor, and TV personality. She was known for her collaborations with other top South African artists such as Brenda Fassie. Khumalo died on 7 January 2025 on her way to the hospital after suffering from a short illness.

8. Connie Chiume

• Year of birth: 5 June 1952
• Demise: 6 August 2024
• Age at death: 72 years

Among the celebrities who died in 2024 is Connie Temweka Gabisile Chiume, a South African filmmaker and actress. She was known for her film roles in Black Is King, Black Panther, and Blessers.

On television, she appeared in Yizo Yizo 2, S'gudi S'nyasi, Zone 14, and Rhythm City. Connie died while she was in a hospital in Johannesburg.

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9. Bokang 'Malome Vector' Moleli

• Year of birth: 4 July 1992
• Demise: 24 July 2024
• Age at death: 32 years

Bokang Moleli, known professionally as Malome Vector, was a Mosotho singer-songwriter and rapper. He appeared on Price To Pay, a single by South African DJ Miss Pru, along with duo Blaq Diamond, released on 8 May 2020.

Malome died in a fatal road collision on 24 July 2024, on N1 in the Free State while travelling to Lesotho.

10. Mpho Sebeng

• Year of birth: 1 December 1993
• Demise: 5 May 2024
• Age at death: 30 years

Mpho Sebeng was an actor, known for Miseducation (2023), Ring of Lies (2016), and Collision (2022). He died in a car accident on 5 May 2024 in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

11. Dingaan Thobela

• Year of birth: 24 September 1966
• Demise: 29 April 2024
• Age at death: 57

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Dingaan Bongani Thobela was a South African professional boxer who competed between 1990 and 2006. He was a world champion in two divisions: the Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight title from 1990 to 1992 and the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight title in 1993.

On 29 April 2024, Thobela was found dead in his Johannesburg apartment at the age of 57 after battling illness for some time.

12. Mthobeli 'KCi' August

• Year of birth: 1976
• Demise: 30 December 2023
• Age at death: 47 years

The late Mthobeli 'KCi' August was a Umhlobo Wenene FM personality. His body was discovered in his Johannesburg home. There were speculations that he took his own life, but his family dismissed the rumours.

13. Mbongeni Ngema

• Date of birth: 10 May 1955
• Demise: 27 December 2023
• Age at death: 68 years

The late Mbongeni Ngema was a playwright, lyricist, composer, director, choreographer, and theatre producer. He was best known for co-writing the 1988 musical Sarafina! He died in a hospital in Mbizana after a car accident.

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14. Fatima Sydow

• Year of birth: 1973
• Demise: 19 December 2023
• Age at death: 50 years

The late Fatima Sydow was a famous cookbook author and television personality. She was known for her exceptional culinary skills, infectious enthusiasm and warm personality. Sydow died at the age of 50 after a three-year battle with soft tissue sarcoma.

15. DJ Mulo

• Date of birth: 11 August 1985
• Demise: 16 December 2023
• Age at death: 38 years

Former YFM and eTV presenter Nhlamulo Hlungwani, alias DJ Mulo, died on the morning of Reconciliation Day in his Bryanston home after battling cancer. He was married to fellow TV presenter Ntokozo Molefe.

16. Zahara

• Date of birth: 9 November 1987
• Demise: 11 December 2023
• Age at death: 36 years

Bulelwa Mkutukana, alias Zahara, was a famous singer, songwriter, and guitarist. She sang in Xhosa and English. She is among the female South African celebrities who have died recently.

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Zahara died at a hospital in Johannesburg. She had been admitted in mid-November with liver complications, which worsened. She had suffered from liver disease after problems with alcoholism.

17. Lebohang Mpyana

• Date of birth: 3 January 1989
• Demise: 1 November 2023
• Age at death: 34 years

The late Lebohang Mpyana was a talented and upcoming South African actress and Sepedi-speaking comedian. She was best known as Khelina on Mzansi Magic's DiepCity. Lebohang Mpyana passed away after a short illness.

18. Zoleka Mandela

• Date of birth: 9 April 1980
• Demise: 25 September 2023
• Age at death: 43 years

Zoleka Zobuhle Mandela was best known as Nelson Mandela's granddaughter. She was a writer and activist who wrote about her addictions, her daughter's death, and her battle with breast cancer. Zoleka passed away after a spirited battle with cancer.

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19. Derek Watts

• Date of birth: 24 November 1948
• Demise: 22 August 2023
• Age at death: 74 years

Derek Neil Watts was an investigative reporter and television presenter who worked for Carte Blanche on M-Net for 35 years. Derek Watts died on 22 August 2023 after a battle with skin cancer that spread to his lungs.

20. Angie Oeh

• Year of birth: 1998
• Demise: 19 August 2023
• Age at death: 25 years

The late Angie Oeh is one of the South African celebrities who died young. She was only 25 when she passed away. Angie was an upcoming Afrikaans mumble rapper from Pretoria, Gauteng. She was known for her breakout song Dis Jou Wyfie. She died after battling stage 4 lung cancer for a while.

2. Patrick Ndlovu

• Date of birth: 15 November 1938
• Demise: 30 May 2023
• Age at death: 85 years

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Legendary actor and consummate professional Patrick Ndlovu was best known for Knuckle City, Oddball Hall, and Shaka Zulu. He died on 30 May 2023 of natural causes.

22. Eusebius McKaiser

• Date of birth: 28 March 1978
• Date of death: 30 May 2023
• Age at death: 45 years

The late Eusebius McKaiser was a political analyst, journalist, and broadcaster. He wrote for the Mail & Guardian, the Sunday Times, Foreign Policy, The Guardian, The New York Times, and Business Day. He died suddenly in Johannesburg this week after a suspected epileptic seizure.

23. Marietjie Bothma

• Date of birth: 25 January 1984
• Demise: 29 May 2023
• Age at death: 39 years

The late Marietjie Bothma was an iconic South African television personality, radio broadcaster, and comedian. She died after a long illness.

24. Mark Pilgrim

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• Date of birth: 20 September 1969
• Demise: 5 March 2023
• Age at death: 53 years

The late Mark Pilgrim was a media personality who hosted numerous radio and television shows. He is best remembered as a DJ on 5FM, Eastrand-oos Rand stereo, 94.7 Highveld Stereo, 94.5 Kfm, Hot919 and Hot102.7 FM. He died after battling stage 4 lung cancer.

25. James Alexander, aka James Gracie

• Date of birth: 8 January 1978
• Demise: 28 April 2023
• Age at death: 45 years

The late James Gracie was an actor and writer. He is best remembered for Discreet, Eye in the Sky, and Semi-Soet. He died on 28 April 2023 after a spirited battle with head and neck cancer.

26. Gloria Bosman

• Year of birth: 1973
• Demise: 14 March 2023
• Age at death: 50 years

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The late Gloria Bosman was a jazz singer who began her career singing in a church choir in Soweto. She was also a vocalist, composer, and teacher. She died from a short respiratory illness.

27. Costa Titch

• Date of birth: 10 September 1995
• Demise: 11 March 2023
• Age at death: 28 years

Costantinos Tsobanoglou, commonly known as Costa Titch, was a celebrated Amapiano rapper and dancer. The artist collapsed and died onstage during a performance at a music festival. His family did not give a specific cause of demise.

28. Lentswe Bhengu-Mafoko

• Date of birth: 22 July 1986
• Demise: 28 February 2023
• Age at death: 36 years

The late Lentswe Bhengu-Mafoko was a celebrity chef. He passed away on 28 February 2023 at Sandton Medi-Clinic. He died after suffering a brief illness. The exact name of the sickness was not given.

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29. AKA (Kiernan Jarryd Forbes)

• Date of birth: 28 January 1988
• Demise: 10 February 2023
• Age at death: 35 years

AKA is a South African singer who died recently. He was a celebrated rapper, record producer, and businessman. He was scheduled to perform at Yugo nightclub in Durban on 10 February 2023.

At around 10 p.m. that night, he and Tebello Motsoane were standing outside a restaurant called Wish. A gunman ran up to them and shot AKA in the head, while his accomplice, who was standing by the rapper's car, fired more shots, which killed Motsoane.

30. Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane

• Year of birth: 1982
• Demise: 10 February 2023
• Age at death: 41 years

Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane was a chef, entrepreneur, and a good friend to AKA. The two were shot at close range by unknown assailants who are believed to be hired hitmen. Motsoane passed away on 10 February 2023 alongside AKA.

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31. Vusi Ma R5

• Date of birth: 28 May 1988
• Demise: 30 January 2023
• Age at death: 34 years

The late Vusi Ma R5 was a music artist remembered for Thaba, Tse Nnyane, Matenase, and O Mang. He passed away on 30 January 2023 after being shot. He was hanging out with friends at a pub in Soshanguve. He was shot as he crossed the street to go to his car.

What South African actor died recently?

The SA actors who died recently include Zoleka Mandela, Mbongeni Ngema, DJ Mulo, Zahara, Lebohang Mpyana, Derek Watts, Angie Oeh, Mthobeli 'KCi' August, and Fatima Sydow.

Which South African celebrity died on stage?

Costantinos Tsobanoglou, commonly known as Costa Titch, collapsed and passed away onstage.

Did the actor who portrayed Sdumo in Gomora die?

Yes, Gomora actor Siyabonga Zubane, popularly known for his role in Gomora as Sdumo, passed away in May 2022.

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Who are the South African celebrities who died of HIV?

SA celebs who died of HIV include Gibson Mthuthuzeli Kente, Fana Khaba, and Nkosi Johnson.

What famous black singer died in 2025?

Some famous black singers who died in 2025 include Yolanda 'Yallunder' Nyemezi and Winnie Khumalo.

What famous artist died at 37?

Vincent van Gogh, the Dutch post-impressionist painter, died at the age of 37. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Dying is an inevitable part of life. South African celebrities who died as of 2025 will be remembered for their contribution to the local and international entertainment industry.

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Source: Briefly News