Veteran actress Mary Twala passes away
Tributes are streaming in for acclaimed South African actress, Mary Twala, who has died aged 80.
She died in a Johannesburg hospital on Saturday.
Twala had a long and illustrious career on the stage, as well as on the small and big screen.
She was bestowed with the Order of Ikhamanga last year for her contribution to the arts.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has joined many South Africans in expressing condolences to her family and paying homage.
He says the country has lost 'a unique talent and an endearing human being whose performances brought to life the meaning of being South African.'
Like millions of South Africans, I am saddened by the passing of a great icon of our nation’s creative community; someone who was a household name and face to all of us and brought home the joys, the struggles and the humour under pressure that characterises our national life. pic.twitter.com/3EPIRB7Sf7
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 #StaySafe (@CyrilRamaphosa) July 4, 2020
Twala's son, media personality and choreographer, Somizi Mhlongo, has described her as his tree.
He says his mother lived life to the fullest and achieved beyond her dreams.
He wrote in an Intagram post that he was shattered and couldn't imagine a day without a call from his mother telling him she loves him.
Mhlongo has thanked South Africans 'for loving the phenomenal super star that is my mother'.