Beauty queen and actress Cynthia Shange would have celebrated her 77th birthday on Monday 27 July. The beauty queen unfortunately passed away in the early hours of Monday 20 April.
CYNTHIA SHANGE’S HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY
Cynthia Shange, who was the first Black South African to represent the country at the Miss World (1972), would have celebrated her 77th birthday on Monday 27 July. The iconic beauty queen passed away on 20 April this year in KwaZulu-Natal, after facing an illness.
Aside from being an iconic, history-making beauty queen, she was also widely known for her role MaNkosi Buthelezi in Muvhango for over 20 years. Her mark on South Africa was so influential that The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie and Deputy Minister Peace Mabe paid tribute to the actress in form of a statement on the official government website.
“Cynthia Shange was a barrier-breaker for black people and for women at a time when both were systematically excluded from global platforms. She stood where many were told they did not belong, and in doing so, redefined what was possible for generations to come. Her legacy is one of courage, dignity and unapologetic excellence,” said the Minister.
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.