TV personality remembers legendary actress and former beauty queen Cynthia Shange with a heartfelt birthday tribute.
South African media personality Nonhle Thema has paid an emotional tribute to her late mother, legendary actress and South Africa’s first Black beauty queen, Cynthia Shange, on what would have been her 77th birthday. Taking to Instagram, Thema celebrated her mother’s life and legacy with a touching message that resonated with many fans,
Cynthia Shange passed away on April 20 in KwaZulu-Natal at the age of 76 after complications related to diabetes. She was laid to rest during a private funeral service in Inanda on April 26, with family and close friends gathering to honour her remarkable life and contribution to South African entertainment,
Marking the special occasion on Monday, July 27, Thema described her mother’s birthday as part of her “divine timeline,” sharing heartfelt words and memories that reflected the deep bond they shared. Her tribute quickly attracted messages of love and support from followers celebrating Shange’s lasting influence,
The tribute comes at a time when Nonhle Thema herself has experienced renewed public appreciation. In recent weeks, old television clips and photographs have resurfaced online, reminding South Africans of her groundbreaking career in entertainment and fashion during the late 2000s and early 2010s,
Long before social media influencers became common, Thema had already built a strong personal brand through television shows such as O-Access, V-Entertainment, and Nonhle Goes to Hollywood. She interviewed international celebrities, embraced high fashion, and confidently presented a global lifestyle that was rare for young Black women in South Africa at the time,
As these memories resurfaced, many social media users began revisiting her legacy with fresh appreciation. Public conversations shifted from questioning her confidence to recognising that she may have simply been ahead of her time in shaping modern celebrity culture,
Although some online debates continue over claims made in recent interviews, many believe the broader discussion has become less about controversy and more about acknowledging pioneers whose contributions were only fully recognised years later,
Media personality Somizi Mhlongo also became part of the online conversation after a TikTok video was interpreted by some viewers as a response to Thema. He later clarified that he was not mocking her, helping to calm speculation surrounding the viral clip,
Following the overwhelming support she received, Thema thanked South Africans on Instagram for standing by her. She expressed gratitude to fans who defended her online and said their kindness and encouragement meant a great deal to her during the recent public discussions,
Adding to the nostalgic moment, Tyla’s newly released album APOP* features a reimagined version of Liquideep’s hit song Fairytale. Since Thema starred in the original 2010 music video, many fans have called for her to appear in Tyla’s upcoming visual, saying it would be a fitting tribute to one of South Africa’s original entertainment icons.
