- Timmy Kwebulana, an 83-year-old actor, musician, and comedian from Langa, passed away on September 19 after a short illness.
- Kwebulana had a distinguished career spanning decades, featuring in various sitcoms, films, and stage productions, including Abakwazidenge, Ingqumbo Yeminyanya, and Unyana Womntu.
- The entertainment industry and Langa community are paying tribute to Kwebulana’s legacy, with a memorial service held on September 26 and funeral on September 28 at Guga Sthebe.
The Langa community and the entertainment industry are mourning the passing of yet another talented actor, Timmy Kwebulana.
The 83-year-old actor and musician from Langa died on Thursday last week (19 September) after a short illness. He will be laid to rest on Saturday 28 September at Guga Sthebe.
His memorial service is taking place today (26 September) at the same venue.
Born and bred in Langa, Kwebulana cut his teeth in the entertainment arena in the 80s, featuring in several sitcoms and films such as Abakwazidenge, Ingqumbo Yeminyanya and Unyana Womntu. He later featured in films such Shooting Stars, Forced Love, Isikizi and and Uthando Lwethu.
Later in his life, he worked and nurtured many young artists.
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One of his students, Linomtha Mngcwengi described the late star as an excellent mentor. The duo met in 2006 when Mngcwengi first joined the industry. She said Kwebulana welcomed her with open arms. “When I first worked with him it was in 2007. That was my first play in the acting industry Beneath Silent Waters and we were performing at Baxter Theatre. He was so friendly to all of us in the cast,” said Mngcwengi, describing Kwebulana as a multi-talented artist and the master of the art work.
She said he was a father figure to her as she used to share almost everything about her life.
“Tata, as I affectionately called him, was my first real father. I knew my biological father when I was 28 years old and at that time I had already met Kwebulana. When I went to see my father for the first time, I first went to Kwebulana to inform him. He urged me to be calm not to be angry or fight with my dad,” she recalled adding that even before she got married she informed him and Kwebulana asked her to come with the then boyfriend to see him before they tie the knot.
“When he saw my then boyfriend (who is my current husband). He later said to me ‘You can get married. I give you my blessings. He is looking fine for you,” she said, adding that Kwebulana had a big heart.
However, she said she failed to understand why legends like Kwebulana had not been honoured while they were still around.
“Kwebulana, Ray Ntlokwana (also known as Velaphi) and Thoko Ntshinga were Xhosa comedians. They are some of the people who have an impact in the industry. Some of us joined the industry because of them,” she said and appealed to the government to honour the artists while they are still alive.
It doesn’t rain but it pours for the entertainment industry as well-known artists pass away.
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This month alone at least four artists died including Philani Mabanga affectionately known as Mfundisi Ntshebe, legendary actor Tebogo Ndarana known as Papa G, kwaito star Sandile Ngwenya known as Mapaputsi and Sello Motloung. The latest artist who died is a renowned actor, musician and comedian Timmy Kwebulana who was known as Ngqungqumbana in an album that he collaborated with the late Ray Ntlokwana who was known as Velaphi.
The 83 year old died on Thursday 19 September after a short illness.
Kwebulana also appeared in various television drama serious including .
Kwebulana’s memorial service will be held at Guga Sthebe in Langa on Thursday 26 September. He will be buried on Saturday 28 September and the funeral service will be in the same venue.
