The death of a much-loved star is normally followed by an outpouring of grief, but in South Africa, last week's loss of 75-year-old actress Nandi Nyembe also came with an outpouring of anger.
People were distressed that in the last months of her life, an obviously sick woman was reduced to appearing on videos appealing for financial help. Sitting in a wheelchair, with thin grey hair, wearing a loose T-shirt and fleece pyjama trousers, she stated she needed money to cover the basics, and her biggest plea was for more work to support herself.
Known as mam'Nandi, her passing felt like losing a close relative for many. A tribute from her family and the government celebrated her as the very soul of South African storytelling.
Nyembe was not just an actress; she was a teacher and a guide who inspired young actors to dream beyond their circumstances. Her death has reignited a debate about the lack of support systems for South African artists who are unable to work. In South Africa, actors do not receive royalties for subsequent broadcasts of their work, meaning they're at risk of financial hardship as they age.
Jack Devnarain, chairperson of South African Guild of Actors (Saga), emphasized the grim future for actors like Nyembe, lamenting that there are no structural changes in place to support them.
Nyembe's legacy truly lives on through her work, from theatre to television. She first made waves in the 1970s during apartheid, despite the challenges of racism and inequality. Her most memorable roles included an HIV-positive nurse in the series Soul City and as a nurturing mother in Yizo Yizo. Her last notable role was in How to Ruin Christmas, a Netflix production.
For many, Nyembe represents not just the art of storytelling, but a clarion call for systemic change in the creative industry. As her story resonates, it serves as both a tribute to her work and a petition for a fair system for all artists.
People were distressed that in the last months of her life, an obviously sick woman was reduced to appearing on videos appealing for financial help. Sitting in a wheelchair, with thin grey hair, wearing a loose T-shirt and fleece pyjama trousers, she stated she needed money to cover the basics, and her biggest plea was for more work to support herself.
Known as mam'Nandi, her passing felt like losing a close relative for many. A tribute from her family and the government celebrated her as the very soul of South African storytelling.
Nyembe was not just an actress; she was a teacher and a guide who inspired young actors to dream beyond their circumstances. Her death has reignited a debate about the lack of support systems for South African artists who are unable to work. In South Africa, actors do not receive royalties for subsequent broadcasts of their work, meaning they're at risk of financial hardship as they age.
Jack Devnarain, chairperson of South African Guild of Actors (Saga), emphasized the grim future for actors like Nyembe, lamenting that there are no structural changes in place to support them.
Nyembe's legacy truly lives on through her work, from theatre to television. She first made waves in the 1970s during apartheid, despite the challenges of racism and inequality. Her most memorable roles included an HIV-positive nurse in the series Soul City and as a nurturing mother in Yizo Yizo. Her last notable role was in How to Ruin Christmas, a Netflix production.
For many, Nyembe represents not just the art of storytelling, but a clarion call for systemic change in the creative industry. As her story resonates, it serves as both a tribute to her work and a petition for a fair system for all artists.
