Busi Lurayi and an inside look at the milestones of her film career
The late Busi Lurayi was a prominent figure in South Africa’s film industry. She was known for her starring role on the SABC1 sitcom City Sesl’a as Phumzile. Lurayi died on 10 July 2022 in Thembisa, Gauteng, and many still remember her for her role as Tumi Sello in How to Ruin Christmas.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Busisiwe Lurayi was born in 1986 in South Africa and later died on 10 July 2022 in Thembisa, Gauteng.
- The late actress bagged the Golden Horn Award for Best Actress in a TV Comedy in 2011.
- In 2021, Lurayi won the SAFTA Golden Horn Award for Best Actress in a TV comedy for her role as Tumi in How to Ruin Christmas.
Profile summary
Full name | Busisiwe Lurayi |
Gender | Female |
Year of birth | 1986 |
Date of death | 10 July 2022 |
Age at death | 36 years |
Place of birth | Thembisa, Ekhuruleni, South Africa |
Place of death | Thembisa, Gauteng, South Africa |
Nationality | South African |
Ethnicity | Black |
Religion | Christianity |
Marital status | Single |
Children | 1 |
Father | Freddie Mokoena |
Profession | Actress |
Who was Busi Lurayi?
The late Busisiwe Lurayi was a seasoned South African actress. She is best remembered for her roles in How to Ruin Christmas (2020), City Ses'la (2005) and Wild at Heart (2006).
How old was Busi Lurayi when she died?
Busi Lurayi's age at death was 36 years. The South African actress was born in 1986 and died on 10 July 2022 in Thembisa, Gauteng, South Africa. Her father, Freddie Mokoena, found her dead in her daughter's room.
Source: Original
What happened to Busi Lurayi?
Busi Lurayi died on 10 July 2022 in Thembisa, Gauteng, South Africa. The tragic news was confirmed in a statement by Lurayi's family. In part, the statement read:
We are deeply saddened to notify you of the passing of our beloved Busisiwe Lurayi. Busisiwe passed away suddenly and was pronounced dead at her residence on Sunday, 10 July 2022, by medical personnel.
The statement went on to talk about Busi Lurayi's cause of death:
The reason for her death is still unknown as we await the results of the autopsy report. We humbly request that you allow us as the family to come to terms with this tragic news. We thank you for the support that has been given so far and will provide further information as soon as it has been made available.
It is worth noting that Busi Lurayi's autopsy report was not presented or discussed in public. Her family chose to keep details of her demise private.
Source: UGC
What acting roles did Busi Lurayi have?
Busi Lurayi started her acting career when she scooped a role in 2005. In 2013, she was part of a musical remake of Sarafina. Like any popular actress today, her debut came after she was featured as Phumzile on the sitcom City Ses’la from 2005 to 2006. The series was aired again in 2010.
The actress left City Ses’la after its first season to join the cast of the ITV drama series Wild at Heart. The series depicted the story of a British family that moves to a game reserve in South Africa. Busi played the role of Thandi, a teacher who home-schooled children during the second season of the show.
The South African actress made a guest appearance on the medical drama series ER, where she played the role of Sittina in the episode titled There Are No Angels Here in 2016. The actress also starred in the SABC1 drama series Sokhulu & Partners as Winnie Molepo in 2008.
In 2011, she joined the cast of the SABC1 soapie Generations as Swazi Lukhele. In 2011, she featured as the main cast in the Mzansi Magic sitcom S.I.E.S.
In 2019, Busi came back with a bang in the world of theatre when the Market Theatre and US Mission in SA commemorated Black History Month with the South African premiere of Nina Simone’s Four Women. The show premiered on SABC 2 in September 2020.
On 16 December 2020, How to Ruin Christmas started airing. Busi portrayed Tumi Sello in the first two seasons. She passed away before season three was filmed. The How to Ruin Christmas cast filmed the third and last season without Busi.
Busi Lurayi's awards
Busi Lurayi's prowess, passion, and talent are evident in her work. Her role as Phumzile in the sitcom City Ses’la in 2005 was quite appealing to the audience as it earned her the role of Phumzile again in 2012 in the spin-off Ses’top La. Here are some of the notable awards to her name:
- The Golden Horn Award for Best Supporting Actress in a TV Comedy in 2006
- The Golden Horn Award for Best Actress in a TV Comedy in 2011
- In 2021, Busi Lurayi won the SAFTA Golden Horn Award for Best Actress in a TV comedy for her role as Tumi in How to Ruin Christmas.
Apart from her awards, the actress hosted the M-Net game show Million Rand Money Drop in 2013.
Source: UGC
Did Busi Lurayi have a child?
The South African actress was not married, so there are no details of Busi Lurayi's husband. However, she and an ex-boyfriend, Mziwoxolo Qwelane, had a daughter named Ayana. In fact, Busi's dad, Freddie, discovered his daughter's body in Ayana's room.
Busi Lurayi's scandals
Despite her efforts to keep her life private, Busi was involved in public scandals. Busi Lurayi's ex-boyfriend and father of their daughter, Mziwoxolo Qwelane, opened a case against her at the Randburg police station.
The actress was charged with theft by the Randburg Magistrate’s Court in an incident that took place in 2015. Busi spent two nights in a holding cell after she was arrested.
Mziwoxolo Qwelane had gone to the Eastern Cape to visit his home and left the keys to his house with the domestic worker. When he travelled back, he found that his home furniture had been stolen, which was worth R400,000.
This was after he had received a message from his former partner, Busi, that she would pass by to collect her belongings. According to CCTV footage, it was revealed that Lurayi’s car was captured at his home loaded with the goods. The actress was sentenced to house arrest and community service with an R48,000 fine or imprisonment.
Trivia
- Busi had a one-off appearance on E.R. in 2006.
- The role of Tumi Sello in How to Ruin Christmas was her biggest role yet.
- Busi was a #causeican tribe member.
- The late actress described herself as a storyteller.
- She loved flowers.
Busi Lurayi graced South African television screens and theatre with her beauty and talent. She passed away suddenly and is fondly remembered by her family, peers, and fans.
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