We remember lives lost in 2017

Tributes to some of the people that we lost throughout the year.

December 27, 2017

Liam Ngobeni 4 minutes read

Mixon 'Tsekeleke' Tholo, kwaito musician.

As the year draws to an end, we reflect on the lows and highs of the year. Death, as inevitable as it may be, always catches us unguarded and we could never be ready.

We reminisce about the lives lost throughout the year in different ways, some through short or long battles with illness, suicides, car accidents and horrific hijacking incidents.

The year kicked off with the tragic news of the passing of Thandi Klaasen, an iconic South African jazz musician from Sophiatown. She died of pancreatic cancer in January. She was 86 at the time of the death.

Lundi Tyamara, one of the country’s biggest gospel musicians lost his life at the age of 37 in January after a long struggle with stomach TB and liver complications.

Joost Heystek van der Westhuizen, died in February after a long battle with motor neuron disease. Van der Westhuizen was a legendary rugby player who made 89 appearances for the Springboks in test matches and was part of the 1995 squad that won the World Cup.

Veteran actor Joe Mafela who was a popular face on our TV screens for decades. He died at the age of 75 after he was involved in a car accident in Johannesburg in March.

Ahmed “Kathy” Kathrada, a political activist who spent most of his life fighting injustice and striving for equality passed on in March following a short illness. Kathrada was 88.

Ontlametse Phalatse, who suffered from progeria, a disease that makes the body age rapidly died in April. She lived to a surprising age of 18 when doctors had predicted that she would not live to see 13.

Top South African boxing trainer and tattoo parlour owner, Nick Durandt, died in a motorbike accident in the Free State in April.

Piet Byleveld, the highly decorated SAPS detective died in May after a battle with cancer. He is famous for his 100 percebt success rate in cases. Byleveld has worked on famous crime investigations and solved serial murders.

Dr Willie Hendrikz, principal of Theresa Park Primary School in the North died after accidentally shooting himself at his home in Pretoria in May.

Mandla Hlatshwayo, famous for his role in the SABC1 soapie, Generations died after he was shot in May during a robbery at a pub in Pimville, Soweto. Hlatshwayo was 41.

WG van Zyl died in a horrific motorbike accident on Solomon Mahlangu Drive in Pretoria East on July 21. An unfortunate double blow for the Van Zyl family who lost WG’s father Pierre van Zyl, in May. WG would have celebrated his 23rd birthday on the 25th of July and was due to complete his studies in marketing management.

Suna Venter, one of the SABC 8 and senior current affairs producer at RSG was found dead at her flat in Fairlands in June. Venter was 32-years-old at the time of her untimely death.

Chris Kubheka, actor who starred in SABC1 popular shows Yizo-Yizo and Zone 14, was found hanged at his home in Soshanguve in June.

Ntuthuko Radebe, a South African footballer died in a car accident in June. He was 22-years-old and was playing for Belgian side, KAS Eupen at the time of his death.

Jazz and mbaqanga icon from Mpumalanga, Ray Phiri made headlines after losing a long battle with cancer in July at the age of 70.

JHP “Hennie” Serfontein died in July. The seasoned journalist was most famous for his series of articles exposing the Afrikaner Broederbond between 1963 and 1975.

Iko Mash, actress, celebrity makeup artist and LGBTI personality died from cancer in July.

Ronnie Mamoepa, a former political prisoner, Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson and a member of Gauteng province legislature died in July.

Rhythm City actor, Dumi Masilela’s murder following a botched hijacking attempt in Tembisa shocked the country in August.

Mary Makgatho, a veteran actress who starred in a number of South African television shows died in August after complications from a fall.

>Mixon “Tsekeleke” Tholo, a kwaito musician also died in August following complications arising from diabetes.

John Ulrich Buchler died in August. He was a legendary Springboks player who won 10 caps and only appeared in one losing game. Buchler was the remaining member of the iconic 1951 Springbok touring squad.

Sindiso Magaqa, former ANC Youth League secretary-general succumbed to his injuries in September after spending two months in hospital following an ambush in which he and two other councillors were shot at a spaza shop in Mzimkhulu, KwaZulu Natal.

Ministry of health spokesperson Joe Maila died in October after a shooting incident at a shooting range in Pretoria.

Ian McLeod, a famous former South African referee and school principal at Crawford Preparatory, died in October after he was admitted to hospital after complaining about not feeling well.

Henry Badenhorst, co-founder of popular dating site Gaydar, died after falling from a tower block in Johannesburg in November.

Jazz legend Theo Bophela died at his home in Durban in November after a battle with diabetes.