Grief-Stricken Ayanda Borotho on Celebrating Birthday Without Late Twin Brother: "I Slept Instead"

Grief-Stricken Ayanda Borotho on Celebrating Birthday Without Late Twin Brother: "I Slept Instead"

  • South African actress Ayanda Borotho has been dealing with grief following the loss of her twin brother
  • Ayanda Borotho shared that her twin, Sandile Ngubane, passed away on Thursday, 7 November 2024
  • On their shared birthday, Ayanda Borotho opened up about not celebrating the day and shared how she spent it instead
  • Briefly News spoke to psychologist Paula Quinsee and shared how celebrities often find it difficult to process grief because they are in the public eye

Since losing her twin brother through an illness, author, businesswoman, and actress Ayanda Borotho has been open about how she deals with her ongoing grief.

Ayanda Borotho on dealing with brother's passing.
Grief-stricken Ayanda Borotho revealed that she spent her birthday sleeping after she lost her twin brother. Image: @ayandaborotho
Source: Instagram

How Ayanda chose to spend her and twin's birthday

Former Isibaya actress Ayanda Borotho closed off 2024 on a very sombre note. She announced the death of her twin brother, Sandile 'Hammer' Ngubane, who was 43 years old.

On their shared birthday, 13 January 2025, Ayanda Borotho said she decided not to celebrate it. However, Borotho said she slept the entire day.

Read also

Mzansi hun crushes on doctor and seeks help to find future hubby, video leaves SA amused

She posted an Instagram video, taking it back to his younger days leading up to his passing.

Ayanda on cherishing spending time with family

A month after burying her twin, Ayanda revealed that she often spends time with her loved ones. Psychologist Paula Quinsee spoke to Briefly News about why it can be difficult for celebrities to process grief when they are in the limelight.

"Public figures are often inundated with public scrutiny even when it comes to grieving so often face intrusive attention which can make it difficult to process their emotions privately. This can put a strain on relationships if one partner feels overwhelmed, exposed or unsupported in their healing journey."
Ayanda Borotho reflects on grief.
Ayanda Borotho spent her first birthday without her brother. Image: Oupa Bopape
Source: Getty Images

Ayanda described grief as chaotic because the emotions one experiences vary from day to day. Ayanda spoke about the day it finally sank in that her brother was no more. When she drove home, Ayanda said:

Read also

Inside Katlego Ranaka's last Instagram post to her son: "Love of my life"

"I desperately prayed, hoping with everything that maybe he'd be home. Just maybe. It finally sank in when I sat staring at his pictures on the wall that my younger brother had just put up that...this is it. I can't describe that feeling when it finally sinks in. It's defeat. Helplessness, knowing how nothing you do or say can change the now. I simply fell apart."

She continued by saying that when she laughed, she would remind herself to stop laughing because she was still mourning.

Zizo Tshwete on losing her mother

In a previous report from Briefly News, Zizo Tshwete was mourning the death of her mother, Reverend Nonceba Beda.

Taking to her social media page, the media personality paid tribute to her mother with a sweet video and lengthy caption.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU - click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Jessica Gcaba avatar

Jessica Gcaba (Entertainment editor) Jessica Gcaba is an Entertainment Editor for Briefly News (joined in 2023). She is a Journalism graduate from the Durban University Of Technology (2019). She has 4 years of experience as an Entertainment and Lifestyle Journalist at Africa New Media Group writing for ZAlebs website. She passed a set of trainings from Google News Initiative. To reach her, contact: jessica.gcaba@briefly.co.za

Paula Quinsee avatar

Paula Quinsee (Certified Relationship Therapy Educator and founder of Engaged Humans) Paula Quinsee is the founder of Engaged Humans, facilitating connection between individuals and organisations to create a more human-connected world. She is a certified Imago Relationship Therapy educator and facilitator, NLP practitioner, PDA analyst, coach and trainer. Paula is also the author of two self-help guides - Embracing Conflict and Embracing No - as well as an international speaker, advocate for mental health and activist for gender-based violence.

Tags: