Local theatre legend and anti-apartheid activist Winston Ntshona passed away on Thursday morning after a long battle with illness. He was 76 years old.
Ntshona’s son Lawula confirmed the news of his death to Herald Live, saying: "We are just reeling in shock but we are coming together as a family." He added that his dad has been ill for several years.
It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of one of SA's prolific Actors and Playwright - Winston Ntshona
Born 6 October 1941 in Port Elizabeth. Rest in peace fellow thespian and thank you for your contribution to the arts #RIPWinstonNtshona pic.twitter.com/LdNn9QfqAa
— SA State Theatre (@sastatetheatre) August 2, 2018
When news of his death broke, tributes immediately began pouring in on social media for the man best known for his work with actor John Kani and playwright Athol Fugard, with whom he founded the Serpent Players theatre group in Port Elizabeth in 1965.
Ntshona starred alongside Kani in Athol Fugard's "The Island" as well as "Sizwe Banzi is Dead," which he co-wrote, and in an unusual move, both Kani and Ntshona were co-Tony Award winners for Best Actor for their work. Ntshona was also honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Acting at the 2011 SAFTAS.
A scene from "The Island" starring Winston Ntshona and Dr. John Kani #RIPWinstonNtshona pic.twitter.com/POezlagrFt
— Phil Mphela (@PhilMphela) August 2, 2018
Winston Ntshona! 🇿🇦💪🏾💫 Rest In Peace... Son of the Soil #RipWinstonNtshona pic.twitter.com/V3y9FWCvtd
— AB Dacosta (@AB_Broadcaster) August 2, 2018
It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of one of SA's prolific Actors and Playwright - Winston Ntshona
Thank you for your contribution to the arts
— South African Heroes (@SA_Heroes) August 2, 2018
Their swansong together was Sizwe Banzi Is Dead and I was spellbound in the audience. What a loss to to his family, to the arts and to SA as a whole. #RIPWinstonNtshona pic.twitter.com/EHMYLg5xuZ
— Xolisa Dyeshana (@XolisaDyeshana) August 2, 2018