Family devastated by 'Muvhango' actor Arthur Mbambo's death

Kyle Zeeman Digital Editor
Actor Arthur Mbambo died at the weekend in a Johannesburg hospital.
Actor Arthur Mbambo died at the weekend in a Johannesburg hospital.
Image: Muvhango's Facebook

Mbali Mbambo, daughter of veteran actor, Arthur Mbambo, has been left devastated by her father's death, telling SowetanLIVE's sister publication TshisaLIVE that when she got the call her “heart dropped”. 

“I would speak to him daily on WhatsApp and he would give me such hope that he was doing well and was going to pull through. I don't know what changed because suddenly I got a call that he was no more. It felt like my heart had broken.”

Arthur, best known for his role as Thandaza's father Mnyamane Buthelezi on the SABC2 soapie Muvhango, died in a Johannesburg hospital last weekend after a long illness.

He had been admitted to hospital two weeks ago after his health took a turn for the worse.

“It was all so sudden. He went into hospital and because of Covid-19 we couldn't visit him. That was the last time we saw him. I spoke to him the day before his passing and he said he was OK and was being looked after by doctors. He told us that we shouldn't worry about him,” Mbali added.

She said before his hospitalisation, Arthur had lost a brother and was not able to attend the funeral.

Mbali added that their family were “devastated” by the death and were trying to make sense of everything.

“I will always remember how he looked after me. He named me after a flower and I will always be his Mbali.”

Arthur started his career in the 1980s and went on to feature in several TV and films, including as Frank Tshabalala on the SABC1 drama series Tshisa. He also appeared in Mzansi and Soul Buddyz.

In a statement, Muvhango's producers paid tribute to the star.

“Word of Mouth Pictures and Muvhango wishes to extend heartfelt condolences to Mr Mbambo’s family,” reads the statement.

He will be laid to rest in Johannesburg on Friday.


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