Nandi Nyembe's Daughter Says Veteran Actress Never Received Money Raised For Her

• Nandi Nyembe's daughter, Thami Nyembe, shared that her mother did not get the funds promised to her before her passing
• While Gayton McKenzie made a sizable cash donation, he failed to fulfil a promise made to Nyembe before her death
• In an interview, the family of Nandi Nyembe confirmed the cause of death of the late actress

As South Africans continue to reel from the untimely loss of talented veteran actress Nandi Nyembe, her daughter has made stunning revelations regarding the donated funds.

Nyembe passed away on Saturday, 23 August 2025, at the age of 75 years. Months before her passing, the actress who featured in some of South Africa’s iconic films, such as Yizo Yizo and Zone 14, had dominated headlines after she opened up about her financial and health struggles.

South Africans, including Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie, chipped in to assist Nandi Nyembe financially. Now, Nyembe’s daughter, Thami Nyembe, has broken her silence regarding the donated funds.

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Nandi Nyembe never received money, says her daughter

Speaking to Sunday World, Thami Nyembe shared that a fundraising event was held at a Soweto eatery, Disoufeng, on 28 April 2025. She mentioned that while R6,000 was raised during the event, not a single cent of that money reached her mother.

The organisers of the fundraising event also failed to drop off the promised necessities, including a heater for winter, as Thami revealed that she was busy with work.

“She never received the funds or the items before her passing; I was busy with work when they were supposed to do the drop-off,” Thami said.

In an earlier report, Nandi Nyembe had confirmed that she had not received the funds raised for her. She shared that the organisers claimed they needed to get permission from the Gauteng Film Commission first.

“I had no idea that the Gauteng Film Commission is the one who needs to give the go-ahead with regards to me getting the money,” said Nyembe at the time.

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Gayton McKenzie failed to fulfil promise to Nandi Nyembe

McKenzie, who has come under fire following Nyembe’s passing, also failed to fulfil his promise to visit her. Sunday World reports that while the Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader donated R20,000 of his own money to the former Adulting actress, he never managed to visit her as promised in a widely circulated video.

McKenzie only visited the Nyembe residence on Sunday, 24 August 2025, following the passing of the veteran actress.

Nandi Nyembe had previously shared that McKenzie had not fulfilled his promise to visit.

Nandi Nyembe's family shares her cause of death

Meanwhile, Nandi Nyembe's family shared her cause of death, as reported by Briefly News.

In an interview with Daily Sun on Sunday, 24 August 2025, the Nyembes shared that the veteran actress died in the hospital.

Jabulani Nyembe, who is the grandson of the thespian, shared that his famous grandmother had been battling a long-term illness before her death.

Source: Briefly News