Pretoria: Prolific actress Mam' Nandi Nyembe has been described as the 'very soul of South African storytelling' and as someone who was a "teacher and guide' in the country's arts landscape. In a joint statement on Saturday, the Nyembe Family and the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture announced the death of the actress.
According to South African Government News Agency, the statement expressed profound sorrow over the passing of one of South Africa's most treasured icons of the arts, Mam' Nandi Nyembe. It emphasized that she was more than an actress, embodying the essence of South African storytelling. The department and family noted her role as a teacher, guide, and mother to the nation, highlighting her ability to convey struggles, laughter, and victories with truth and dignity.
The statement also outlined how the actress gave people pride and purpose through storytelling, inspiring young actors in villages and townships to dream beyond their circumstances. It was noted that her legacy is extraordinary, and her art is eternal.
Jabulani Nyembe, her grandson, shared the family's grief, stating, "Our hearts are broken as we share the loss of our beloved mother and grandmother, Nandi Nyembe. To the world, she was a gifted actress; to us, she was our everything. Her love, laughter, and strength will stay with us always. We are so grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers and support during this time."
The department expressed its deepest condolences and gratitude to the family. Minister Gayton McKenzie paid tribute, acknowledging the shared loss and honoring the powerful life she lived by stating, "Her loss is not yours alone but a loss we all feel. South Africa bows its head in sorrow but also lifts its eyes in honour of the life she lived so powerfully."