Mncedisi Baldwin Shabangu (c. 1969 – 24 July 2022)[1] was a South African actor, playwright, and theatre director best known for his role as Khulekani Ngobese in a South African TV musical drama series Rhythm City. He was the winner of several awards including the 2004 Standard Bank Young Artist Award.[2][3][4]

Mncedisi Shabangu
Born
Mncedisi Baldwin Shabangu

c. 1969
Died (aged 53)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • playwright
  • theatre director
Years active1992–2022
AwardsStandard Bank Young Artist Award

Shabangu died at his home in KaNyamazane township, Bombela, Mpumalanga on 24 July 2022.[5]

Early years edit

Shabangu was born in KwaMashu, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. However, like most black families in South Africa in the 70s, he and his family were relocated to KaNyamazane township, Bombela, Mpumalanga (previously known as Nelspruit) at the behest of the South African government under the Group Areas Act.[6]

While growing up in the townships, his passion for acting and interest in stage plays were ignited by the late South African playwright and producer, Gibson Kente. In 1995, he enrolled at Market Theatre Laboratory in Johannesburg, where he trained as an actor and theatre maker.[6][7] In 1998, he studied theatre-making at the Royal National Theatre Studio in London, England.[8]

Career edit

Over the years, Shabangu has written and acted in numerous award-winning theatre, film and television performances.[9]

Awards edit

Shabangu received the following awards:

  • FNB Vita for best supporting actor-Call us crazy (2000)[10]
  • FNB Vita for best director-Vuka Machel (2003)[11][12]
  • Fleur Du Cap for best actor-Tshepang (2003)[13]
  • Standard bank young artist award for drama (2004)[14][15]
  • Naledi Award for best supporting actor-The suitcase (2018)[16][17]

Filmography edit

Actor edit

Director edit

TV and film edit

Explanatory notes edit

There is confusion over Shabangu's date of birth and age. Most sources including SABC News,[1] Sunday Times,[24] The Citizen,[25] sowetan Live[26] and the Daily Sun[27] indicated that he was 53 at the time of his death. However other sources reported that he was 48 years old.

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Actor, playwright and director Mncedisi Shabangu passes on". SABC News – Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader. 24 July 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  2. ^ "Mncedisi Shabangu, theatre's all-round master". New Frame. 21 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Actor makes home town proud with Safta win". 2 June 2020.
  4. ^ "Mncedisi Baldwin Shabangu". Arts for Action. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  5. ^ bongekilekhumalo (24 July 2022). "Award-winning actor, playwright and director Mncedisi Baldwin Shabangu dies". Mpumalanga News. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  6. ^ a b "artsmart : arts news from kwazulu-natal : drama". www.artsmart.co.za. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  7. ^ "KaNyamazane-born actors bring powerful story to Innibos". 15 June 2018.
  8. ^ "MNCEDISI SHABANGU - THE HEAD & THE LOAD". WILLIAM KENTRIDGE. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  9. ^ "Zakes Mda's 'Dead End' premieres on Joburg Theatre stage".
  10. ^ Herald, The. "Shabangu's 'Ten Bush' an innovative play". The Herald. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  11. ^ Nemakonde, Vhahangwele (16 January 2020). "Revolutionary comedy 'Vuka Machel' is a masterpiece". The Citizen. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  12. ^ sandilep (11 December 2019). "Vuka Machel". The Market Theatre Laboratory. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards Winners". wine.co.za. 10 March 2004. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  14. ^ "Full list of Standard Bank Young Artist Award winners". SciFest. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  15. ^ "Mncedisi Shabangu - Dublin Theatre Festival". archive.dublintheatrefestival.com. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  16. ^ Mulder, Louw (14 May 2018). "Naledi Theatre Awards 2018: The Nominations | Stage and Screen". www.stageandscreen.co.za. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  17. ^ "All the nominees in the 2018 Naledi Theatre Awards | Artsvark". Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  18. ^ a b "Mncedisi Shabangu | TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  19. ^ a b c d e f "Mncedisi Shabangu – Dublin Theatre Festival". archive.dublintheatrefestival.com. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  20. ^ "Supplemental Information 3: An excerpt from Data Downloads page, where users can download original datasets". doi:10.7717/peerj.9467/supp-3. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  21. ^ ""The Head and the Load," William Kentridge's Homage to Africa in the Great War". The New Yorker. 16 December 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  22. ^ "The Head & the Load". 14-18 NOW. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g Ncube, Audrey L. (24 July 2022). "Rhythm City Actor Mncedisi Shabangu 'Khulekani' Dies". iHarare News. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  24. ^ "Veteran actor Mncedisi Shabangu has died".
  25. ^ Reporter, Citizen (24 July 2022). "South Africans mourn the loss of actor Mncedisi Baldwin Shabangu". The Citizen. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  26. ^ "Maake ka Ncube mourns former Rhythm City actor Baldwin Shabangu". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  27. ^ Tebele, Mbali. "Veteran actor Mncedisi Shabangu has died!". Dailysun. Retrieved 24 July 2022.

External links edit