Sibusiso Khwinana (31 July 1993 – 1 March 2019) was a South African actor, playwright and director.[1] He is best known for the lead role "Lefa" in the blockbuster film Matwetwe.[2]
Sibusiso Khwinana | |
|---|---|
| Born | 31 July 1993 Soshanguve, South Africa |
| Died | 1 March 2019 (aged 25) Pretoria, South Africa |
| Alma mater | Tshwane University of Technology |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, Playwright, Director |
| Years active | 2017–2019 |
| Parents |
|
Personal life
editSibusiso Khwinana was born on 31 July 1993 in Soshanguve township, Pretoria, South Africa to Nelson Moroakhalo and Chrestinah Tata as the third child in a family with four siblings. He had one elder sister: Joyce Noko, one elder brother: Muzi Moses and a younger sister: Malebo Francina.[3]
Career
editHe started career with many theatre plays after joined with South African State Theatre. After matriculation, he auditioned for a place at the State Theatre's Youth in Trust (YIT) project. Then he studied drama for two years at YIT. He was also a founding member of the "Independent Theatres Makers Movement" which was established to help with the funding of staged productions.[4] In 2013, he became the founder and artistic director of theatre community organization called "Blank Page Entertainment". Using theatre he wrote and directed the stage play on homophobia and corrective rape in lesbians titled, Amend in 2016.[5] The play later won the Best Production and Best Script awards at in the State Theatre Festival in 2016. Then the play was staged at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. Then he staged his own educational theatre pieces, called Don’t Start with an anti-drug theme.[3]
In 2017, he played the lead role "Lefa" in the coming of age adventure comedy film Matwetwe directed by Kagiso Lediga.[6] The film later became blockbuster with box office records.[7][8] After the shooting of the film, he enrolled a diploma in Film and Television at Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria.[3]
Death
editOn 1 March 2019, Khwinana and his friend Tebatso Mashishi waited for a taxi outside Sterland Mall in Steve Biko Streets, Arcadia in Pretoria.[9] Around 11pm, the murder suspect demanded Khwinana's cellphone. Then they were wrestling for the cellphone and the suspect fatally stabbed them with a sharp object. Khwinana died on the scene with multiple wounds on chest at the age of 25.[10] His funeral service was held in Soshanguve on 9 March 2019.[11]
In March 2019, the police was able to identify three suspects responsible for the murder, but later denied.[12][13][14] Later in July 2019, police undertook facial recognition tests to match the suspects to the person in CCTV footage.[15]
Legacy
editA special half-price screenings of the film Matwetwe were held on 13 March and 14 March 2019 to commemorate the actor.[16] In June 2019, the South African State Theatre renamed one of the six theatres housed in the State Theatre complex, "Momentum Theatre" after Khwinana titled "Sibusiso Khwinana Theatre".[5][17]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role | Genre | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Matwetwe | Lefa | Film |
References
edit- ^ Sekhotho, Katleho. "Actor Sibusiso Khwinana dies after being stabbed". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ "WATCH: Family 'can't cope' with Sibusiso Khwinana murder". Channel. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "A tribute to Sibusiso Khwinana". My View by Robyn Sassen and other writers. 13 June 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ "Matwetwe lead actor Sibusiso Khwinana (25) murdered". Channel. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Theatre to be named after actor Sibusiso Khwinana". ShowMe™ - Pretoria. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ Isaacs, Alex. "Matwetwe". Channel. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ Langa, Phumlani S. "Matwetwe is fresh, funny and fierce". Citypress. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ Langa, Phumlani S. "Experience Kagiso Lediga's wizardry in Matwetwe". Citypress. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ "Sibusiso Khwinana immortalised". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ Drum. "Tributes pour in for Matwetwe star after untimely death". Drum. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ Phakgadi, Pelane. "One of three suspects arrested for Matwetwe actor Sibusisio Khwinana's murder, says Cele". News24. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ "Suspects in Sibusiso Khwinana murder identified – Gauteng premier". News24. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ Mitchley, Alex. "Court rules Sibusiso Khwinana murder suspect may not be identified yet". News24. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ Seleka, Ntwaagae. "Man accused of killing Matwetwe actor gives police the runaround, court hears". News24. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ Mitchley, Alex. "Matwetwe actor's murder: Facial recognition tests to be conducted on accused". News24. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ "Ster-Kinekor to have special half-price screenings of Matwetwe in honour of slain star Sibusiso Khwinana". Channel. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ "Theatre to be renamed after the late Matwetwe actor, Sibusiso Khwinana - LNN". Zululand Observer. Retrieved 5 November 2021.