The recent passing of Bra Don Mlangeni Nawa took me off guard, it struck a chord and is rather sad and unfortunate. The legendary actor was 66 years old at the time of this passing. He was suffering from a long-term illness and was laid to rest on Saturday the 26th of April 2025 in Johannesburg.

This comes at the time when I just finally managed to grab myself a copy of a book I’ve been keeping on my wish list for a long time. One about a legendary local thespian. A woman who, not much is written or known about in the media yet carries a wealth of experience in the arts industry, with grace and poise. She was also one of the lead characters on one of my all-time favorite local sitcoms – S’gudi S’naysi (It’s good, it’s nice). This local Sitcoms was a Penguin Films production which aired on the SABC for six seasons between 1986 to 1993. This legendary non-other that actress Mam’ Thembi Mtshali-Jones and her book is titled ‘Theatre Road – My story’ as told to Sindiwe Magona. 

I got this book physically at a song (yes, there are still physical book stores operating out there, thank God) and not online or as a soft copy (as it’s the norm today for many), at my local Bargain Books outlet and I could not believe how much it went for as I had been keeping it on my wish list in the online stores, patiently waiting for it to go on sale. When I saw it on special, I had to grab it and it’s my current read. Learning a great deal about her life through this book.

Back to the reason I decided to write this piece, Bra Don Mlangeni Nawa was popular for his many TV characters that he executed with exception and were memorable, including Zeb Matabane on Isidingo (the need), Zakhe Mhlongo on Hlala Kwabafileyo (remain with the departed), David on Ubambo Lwami (My love) and LaQhasha (The feared loan shark) on ‘Sgudi ‘Snaysi‘. On Hlala Kwabafileyo, Bra Don played a character that was known to have died in the show and his constant twitching facials were classic gestures he executed well as the resurrected Zakhe Mhlongo – reclaiming his identity and life.

Now S’gudi S’naysi is one of my all-time favorite local sitcoms that reminds me of my childhood. I remember those Sunday nights when it played, quite well. As soon as that opening jingle went on, we were all seated, either having a meal as a family or connecting together in front of the TV in the lounge waiting for new week ahead. My mom used to always play jazz music at home in the background, from an evening radio show on Ukhozi FM, prior to that prime-time moment. Re-run after re-run, it still feels like it’s the first time it airs. A definite highlight.

Back to the connection of the book I am currently reading – Bra Don’s loss now leaves Mam Thembi Mtshali-Jones as one of the last remaining main characters from that show. Many of whom, passed on without telling us their stories. We only know them as entertainers; actors and I believe that they are and were, way more than that. They were brothers, sisters, parents, daughters, sons, artists, dreamers who were trying to make a living while following their passion. They navigated the entertainment space at a critical time when things were still tough and when the dawn of democracy in South Africa was slowly taking shape.

S’gudi S’naysi aired for a total of six seasons on the SABC from 1986 to 1993. The show has been repeated a number of times since then. It was created by Roberta Durrant and produced by Penguin Films. The show is centered around the character of ‘S’dumo’ played by the late Joe Mafela and how he navigates his complex life, as a troublesome tenant at Sis May‘s (played by the late Daphney Hlomuka) house in Protea East. Here, Bra Don played the popular character of LaQhasha (the limping loan shark) who was a strong supporting cast member who brought both cheer and most notably, fear especially to the character of S’dumo through his performance. An interesting fact is that the late Daphney Hlomuka (Sis May on S’gudi S’naysi S’naysi) later went on to play the role of Bra Don Mlangeni Nawa’s wife in the SABC TV drama series, Hlala Kwabafileyo. Talk about a reunion.

I take this moment to acknowledge the role that podcaster and broadcaster David Mashabela plays in enabling our stars to tell their stories – their way and through their own lens and perspective. As an interviewer, particularly on his King David Studio online platform, he really allows his guests to drive the narrative and steer the interview their way and be vulnerable, safely so – it’s quite beautiful. This platform is critical now more than ever. I look forward to many more stories of our stars to come from his platform.

I remember the podcast he had, on the 7th of April 2023, with Bra Don Mlangeni Nawa titled “Let me tell you why I left Isidingo” and I am so grateful that David Mashabela made that episode happen and shared that life-time experience with us. There, Bra Don Mlangeni Nawa spoke his truth and opened up to us in a powerful and memorable way about his life, leaving a lasting impression that is worth viewing again and again.  If you’ve got the chance, please have a look at it in Memoriam.

I have personally written to David Mashabela and his team about requesting Mam Thembi Mtshali-Jones as a potential guest in his podcast as I believe she represents the last of a very great generation and memory of stars for S’gudi S’naysi and my childhood. I have found it also very difficult to get any information on her by the way hence my obsession with her book.

I also once bumped into David Mashabela at a filling station, and I approached him about this matter, and he was honest with me about it. He informed me that he was aware of the request and that he has been attempting to make it happen. Also told me why it was not possible as yet. I really hope that he succeeds in getting her on as a guest one day. I think her story is one that would be worth hearing and sharing especially from her side. For now, I shall page through Theatre Road.

Bra Don Mlangeni Nawa will always be remembered for his impact and activism through his TV roles. He was the iconic father figure as Bra Zeb on Isidingo who stood for family values, love and justice. He also made some mistakes in the role, proof of how roles on TV mirror society and how having to work his way back to his family, earning their trust and respect again after failing them, was incredibly moving to watch. That picture-perfect black family set up – two loving parents raising their two children in a happy and safe space, on prime Time TV was something unique that they brought into many households as The Matabane Family on Isidingo.

On Ubambo Lwami (My love), he played the good-guy, David, who was part of a love triangle drama that also involved the characters Thoko (the main lady love in the story) and Bheka, who was the bad guy kingpin. As David, he was sweet, modest and showed a tenderness that revealed a different side to how he was generally viewed as an actor. The whole story revolves around whether Thoko settles now for the good guy (David) who she’s now married or rekindles the old and sometimes, more dangerous flame with the bad guy, Bheka. This show also introduced us to the legendary now also late Menzi Ngubane, who played the role of Mazwi (Thoko’s gangster brother). What an iconic drama series this was. May his soul and memory, continue to be remembered in legacy.

On the DSTV’s The River, he played the character of Thato Mokoena, who was key to the story of how the diamonds discovery at the township of Refilwe led to a gradual mobilization of the community to spearhead discussions on how the community can share in the mining rights and riches from the mining activities at Khanyisa Diamonds Mine. This was a relevant discussion in our country around the social benefits of the community around a mining company. His character on this show was powerful yet short-lived in the story. His activism and boldness in the story lived on through his son – Thuso Mokoena, a character portrayed by Presley Chweneyagae.

He also played a similar, activist role as Shadrack on The Estate on SABC 3, a character also short-lived, where he was key in mobilizing the members of the nearby community to claim their rightful land over the building of a new residential estate for the affluent. Another important conversation in our country around land claims and ownership. What happens when an impoverished community already settled is forced to make way for the building of an affluent estate? That’s the main theme in the show and his character bravely took on that challenge of defense against the decision, which obviously upset the powers that be in the story, leading to his unfortunate demise. Powerful demise in each of the two TV stories that in actual fact led to a multiplicity – revolts, protests, court cases, disputes, discussions and debates, both in the stories and in our lives as part of our on-going Mzansi current affairs.

It takes a special actor and artist to bring a story that is typed on paper, to life. This is where the art in acting is curated. Bra Don Mlangeni Nawa was one of those special artists of our time.

May the family and friends of the late Bra Don Mlangeni Nawa find comfort and strength through this difficult time. I appreciate his craft, talent and storytelling mastery. He served the industry with distinction and gave each role his all. May his legacy live on.

Subsequent to the passing of Bra Don Mlangeni Nawa, the nation also lost the talented Presley Chweneyagae who will forever be remembered for his role in the Oscars-winning Mzansi movie, Tsotsi. Tsotsi (slang for criminal) is a 2005 film written and directed by Gavin Hood and tells a story of a young man navigating his complex life around poverty and crime. This star-studded movie also starred Terry Pheto, Kenneth Nkosi and Rapulana Seiphemo amongst many others. The movie won the Best International Feature Film Oscar in 2006, an honour that most South Africans easily recall was presented during the ceremony by Will Smith. Chweneyagae also played the popular role of Thuso “Cobrizi” Mokoena in the telenovela ‘The River’, who was the son of Thato Mokoena, as played by the late Bra Don Mlangeni Nawa in the same show. 

I take this opportunity to remember Presley Chweneyagae as well for his iconic talent and passion within the arts. The great work he did on The River led to a drama series that was a spin-off for the memorable character ‘Cobra’ he played. He sadly passed away on the 27th of May 2025 at the age of 40. May his soul also rest in peace.

Our country has a pool of talented artists who light up our screens with their magic. May their work be a lifetime reminder that they too, lived full lives of passion for what they believed, they were called for. May their work and contributions to our arts and entertainment industry live on beyond the curtain calls.