21 SA stars we lost in 2021

• Published date: 17 December 2021
• Author: Kedibone Modise
• Publication title: Cape Argus (Cape Town, South Africa)

As we bid farewell to 2021, we remember some of the influential stars whose talent impacted many people’s lives and whose untimely deaths impacted the country this year

Shona Ferguson

Media mogul Shona Ferguson succumbed to Covid-19-related complications on July 30, at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg.

Shona, 49, together with his wife, actress Connie Ferguson launched their production company, Ferguson Films, in 2010. The company which is dominating the television and film industry produced hit shows such as Rockville, iGazi The Wild The River and The Imposter.

Shona’s last production Kings of Joburg bagged three international awards at this year’s Hollywood and African Prestigious (HAPA) Awards in Los Angeles in October. He won the Best Lead In a TV Series while Cindy Mahlangu scooped the Best Supporting Actress accolade, and the show was named the Best Series in Africa.

Menzi Ngubane

Menzi Ngubane, known for his character as Ngamla on Generations, died of a stroke on March 13, following a long battle with kidney disease and diabetes. He was 56. In 2004, Ngubane was diagnosed with kidney failure. He was placed on a kidney transplant list and, later, underwent the life-saving operation.

The actor spoke openly about his health challenges, raising awareness around kidney disease.

With a career spanning more than three decades, the multi-award-winning actor starred in many TV and film roles, among them Kwakhala Nyonini, Yizo Yizo and How to Steal 2 Million.

Ben Kruger

Veteran actor Ben Kruger, 64, died of Covid-19 complications on May 26. He was best known for his role as Oom Okkie in the kykNET soapie Binnelanders. He starred in several TV shows, among them Zero Tolerance and 7de Laan, and the 1997 movie Mandela and De Klerk.

Kruger worked in all facets of the industry as a technician, actor and producer. He was writer and head writer for a variety of soapies and wrote the documentaries he produced. He was also a director of The Learning Theatre, an industrial film company.

Lindiwe Ndlovu

Actress Lindiwe Ndlovu died in her sleep on January 11. Her greatest achievement was receiving a Safta Award for best actress in a feature film in 2013, Little One.

Ndlovu launched her television acting career in 2011 when she played the role of Qondi in the Mzansi television serial Mazinyo Dot Q. In the same year, she made her film debut in Winnie Mandela. She also featured in Ses'Top La and Home Affairs, among others. Before her death, she was set to join the cast of...