The South African entertainment industry is in shock following the death of a talented actor, Mpho Sebeng, who passed away on Sunday.
Sebeng was 30 when he took his last breath following a car accident around Klerksdorp in the North West.
Fondly known for his television roles as Siso Ledwaba in Zero Tolerance (2001-2006) and as Slay in Soul Buddyz (2011), Sebeng was born in Soweto and raised in Witpoortie, Randburg, Johannesburg.
He is the eldest in the family and attended West Ridge High, where he matriculated in 2011.
Spotted in a school production
When Sebeng was 12 years old, his mother’s friend spotted him in a school production and encouraged him to pursue acting.
His major roles were in Justice for All, Zero Tolerance, and Bay of Plenty.
Sebeng got into Soul Buddyz after auditioning for a part as Slay, the gang leader.
He also played the role of Tsietsi Mashini in the movie Winnie, which aired in 2011. His favourite acting memory was meeting Jennifer Hudson on the production set of Winnie.
Sebeng’s other interests, besides acting, were scriptwriting, photography and directing. He had a passion for the arts and wanted to play a big role in growing the country’s entertainment industry.
In 2015, the thespian had a starring role in the e.tv drama series, Z’bondiwe, where he portrayed the role of Lebo Ngcobo, a troubled young man and a brother to Axe and Jackson’s youngest son.
He played Neo, a bare-knuckle boxing champion who a well-known manager spotted on the streets of rural Limpopo, in the 2016 e.tv telenovela Ring of Lies.
Sebeng’s family confirmed in a statement on Sunday afternoon that the gifted entertainer died in a car crash in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“While the family appreciates the immense outpouring of love and condolences, the family requests some space to process the news,” said Oupa Morake, the spokesperson for the family.
“The details of his home-going celebrations will be communicated in due course, and we request that you continue to hold the Sebeng family in prayer.”
Fellow actor shocked
Actor Zola Hashatsi took to social media platform X to express his pain following Sebeng’s sudden death.
“It is with a sad, deep, and painful heart to announce the passing of a young brother, a friend I took in to replace us when we exited.”
It is with a sad, deep, painful heart to announce the passing of a young brother, friend I took in to replace us when we exited @craze_tv, a thespian that was @mpho_sebeng he was in car accident this morning around Klerksdorp, this one hurts. #RIPMphoSebeng 💔💔💔💔😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/CQxH3TplB6
— Zola Hashatsi ka Motsiri (@zola_hashatsi) May 5, 2024
The police in Klerksdorp had not commented at the time of publication. This is a developing story.
