10 Mzansi celebs who are widows or widowers

Losing a loved one is a devastating time, and it can be made worse if that person is your better half, thereby making you a widow/ widower. Here are some of South Africa’s famous widows.

Tsholo Matshaba

Tsholo Matshaba is best known for her role as the scheming gold digger, Meme in Muvhango. She married former to radio DJ Chris Matshaba in December 2014. Their marriage quickly hit a bitter phase as her husband was diagnosed with cancer. Her husband later died due to the deadly disease in February 2018 leaving her a distressed and grieving widow. Before his death, Chris had suffered in silence putting up a brave face in public but secretly being nursed by his loving wife who never left his sight during his lowest moments. Up to this date, she explains how the pain of losing her husband still cuts her like a knife, and despite the pain she is still grateful for the love they shared. Before their marriage, they had dated for 3 years and the gap her late husband left can never be filled.

Simphiwe Ngema

Simphiwe Ngema is an actor who rose to fame through her role as Thuli in Muvhango. Simphiwe was married to the former Rhythm City actor and singer Dumi Masilela. The couple started dating in 2014 and got married 3 years later in 2017. Within just 2 months into their blissful marriage, life took a terrible turn and Dumi was shot in a car hijacking. They managed to get him to the hospital but sadly passed away due to the wounds. Simphiwe was only 27 years old when she became a widow.

In 2019 she released a song she dedicated to her late husband Dumi and entitled it “Her final goodbye to her eternal crush.” In 2020 she moved on and found love again through Zimbabwean model Tino Chinyani and the couple welcomed their first child, a baby boy, after keeping her pregnancy a secret. She faced criticism from some people who wondered why she announced her pregnancy on the same day as the passing on of her late husband Dumi and they called her disrespectful. It is easy to judge someone when you have not been dealt with the same fortunes she suffered. After everything she has been through, what matters most is that she is happy again.

Wiseman Mncube

Wiseman Mncube is best known for his role as Sibonelo in South Africa’s most watched tv series Uzalo. Wiseman’s wife passed away in 2017 leaving behind 1 daughter, Lwandle who was only 3 years old at the time. The pain of losing his wife was too much to bear he vowed never to marry again and put all his efforts in raising their daughter who is now 6 years old. His biggest fear is that he could marry a horrible stepmother for his daughter and shuns that idea completely. In an interview he said, ”I made a promise that l’ll do everything in my power to raise Lwandle in a Godly and responsible way. I don’t want her to feel that she has one parent. I give her all the love and make it a point to spend all my free time with her.” To date when asked what happened to his wife, he says he is not yet comfortable to share that part of his life. He also receives help from his mother to take care of his daughter.

Lerato Sengadi

Lerato Sengadi is best known from Big Brother Africa whereby she was a contestant in 2007 during its 2nd season of being aired. She was the wife of the late rapper and icon HHP. HHP had suffered from depression and tried taking his life 3 times before finally succeeding in October 2018. After he passed away, the family denounced Lerato as their daughter-in-law arguing that their marriage was not legal because the customary marriage proceedings was never completed. This led to her being banned from attending the funeral and she tried taking the family to court but to no avail.

In April 2020, the Supreme court then ruled in Lerato’s favour and pronounced that she indeed was the legal widow of the late rapper and tombstone was then erected soon after.

Thembsie Malu

Thembsie Malu is best known for her role on the Queen as Petronella and on Rhythm City Sis B. She lost her husband in 2019 after 36 years of marriage. Her husband passed away in June 2019 through drowning face down in their swimming pool. She shared that it was brutal scene waking up to find him floating in the pool. She remains forever grateful to her children who helped her to cope and not to give up on her life.

Ayanda Ncwane

Ayanda Newane is an actress, model, record label owner and manager. She is popularly known for being the manager to her late husband Sfiso Ncwane, one of South Africa’s all-time best gospel artist. The couple started dating when Ayanda was just 18 years of age and they got married in 2002. Sfiso passes away in December 2016 due to a kidney failure leaving her with 2 children.

However, in 2020 Sfiso’s other children from his previous relationship took Ayanda to court demanding a share of their father’s estate and claimed that she had been dishonest so that she could keep everything to herself. They also argued that the written will of Sfiso their father be rendered void and invalid. The matter is still currently in court and yet to be settled.

Letshego Zulu

Letshego Zulu is an adventure enthusiast and businesswoman. She appeared on the reality competition Fear Factor South Africa in 2006. She got married motorsports star Gugu Zulu and became one of Mzansi’s power couples. At just 33 years, she sadly lost her husband in 2016 whilst attempting to summit Mount Kilimanjaro as part of Trek4Mandela expedition for raising funds for schoolgirls to get sanitary pads. Although it was a doble cause that led to Gugu’s death, Letshego still bears scars in heart as she recalls the horrific incident. She however found closure and working on several books and memoirs to celebrate her husband.

Kelly Khumalo

When it comes to celebrity widows, the list won’t be complete without mentioning Kelly Khumalo. She is a musician best known for her incredible and powerful vocals. She had a relationship with former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and Orlando Pirates captain Senzo Meyiwa. The relationship quickly turned from being a fairy tale but ended as a horrible nightmare. Kelly Khumalo was accused of being the a mastermind in the murdering for Senzo in 2014 during an alleged house robbery at Kelly’s family home in Vosloorus. Kelly suffered major bullying by fans over the death but still maintains that Senzo Meyiwa was the man she loved the most.

Despite the tragedy of losing Senzo, Kelly finally removed her mourning cloths and later found love again in 2018 to Chad Da Don. Although they try to keep their relationship out of the media’s eyes, Kelly seems happy as evidenced by getting matching tattoos with Chad to celebrate their anniversay.