Beauty queen and actress Cynthia Shange passed away in the early hours of Monday 20 April, who was she?
CYNTHIA SHANGE PASSES AWAY
The family of Cynthia Shange confirmed her death on Monday 20 April. The legendary Cynthia was the first black woman to represent South Africa at Miss World back in 1972. She was also widely known for her role MaNkosi Buthelezi in Muvhango for over 20 years.
The veteran actress passed away in the early hours of Monday morning at a hospital in KwaZulu-Natal after facing an illness.
“With profound sadness, the family of Cynthia Shange shares the news of her passing at the age of 76. Shange, a legendary figure in South African arts and culture, left an indelible mark as both a beauty queen and revered actress. She passed away in the early hours of today in a hospital in KwaZulu-Natal after facing illness,” read the statement.
“Shange was a trailblazer in the South African entertainment industry, rising to prominence in the 1970s when she was crowned Miss Africa South. Her achievement was historic, as she excelled during the era of segregated pageantry and went on to represent South Africa at Miss World 1972 in London,” the statement continued.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CYNTHIA SHANGE
- Cynthia Shange represented South Africa at Miss World. but she was not Miss SA. The first black woman to be crowned Miss SA was Jacqui Mofokeng in 1993. However, Cynthia won the Miss Natal title and thereafter became Miss Africa South, which afforded her the opporunity to compete at the Miss World pageant as Miss Africa South. At the time, there were two beauty titles in South Africa, due to apartheid.
- The beauty queen began her modelling career in 1970.
- Cynthia married Derrick Thema, a professional soccer player and journalist.
- She is a mom of four. She leaves behind daughters Sihle and Nonhle, sons Ayanda and Benele Thema.
- Cynthia hails from Lamontville in KwaZulu-Natal.