The death of award-winning actress Busisiwe Lurayi has sent shock waves through the entertainment industry.
The news of the star’s death was revealed on Monday by her agency, Eye Media Artists. She is said to have died suddenly at her home in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Further details have not yet been disclosed and funeral arrangements are still in progress.
“Busisiwe passed away suddenly and was pronounced dead at her residence on Sunday 10.7.2022 by medical personnel. The reason for her death is still unknown as we await the results of the autopsy report,” read the agency’s statement.
Lurayi was most popular for her lead role as Tumi Sello, the rebellious black sheep of her dysfunctional family in the 2020 Netflix family comedy “How to Ruin Christmas”, in which she acted alongside actress and radio host Thando Thabethe.
She picked up a South African Film and Television Awards (Safta) Golden Horn for best actress in a TV comedy for the role.
In 2021 she returned for the show’s second season, “How to Ruin Christmas: The Funeral”.
Lurayi’s work slate includes her role in SABC1’s “City Ses’la”, in which she played the role of Phumzile. She won Safta awards for best supporting actress in a TV comedy and best actress in a TV comedy for this role in 2006 and 2011, respectively.
She also featured in its spin-off series “Ses'Top La” in 2012.
In 2007, she appeared as Thandi Nguni in the series “Wild at Heart”, which centred on a British family who moved to South Africa to rehabilitate a game reserve for wild animals and establish an animal hospital.
Since the news of her death broke, industry heavyweights have shared condolence messages across social media platforms.
Netflix South Africa said it was deeply saddened by her death.
“An incredible light has gone out in the South African entertainment industry. We are deeply saddened by the passing of award-winning stage and screen actor Busi Lurayi. We will hold on to the laughs, the beauty and all the moments of joy she brought us.”
Safta, on its Twitter account, wrote: “At this time of loss, we are deeply saddened by the passing of #BusiLurayi. We’ll remember her as an incredibly talented actress who was a winner of her first #Safta for Best Supporting Actress in a TV Comedy in 2006. #RIPBusiLurayi.”
At this time of loss, we are deeply saddened by the passing of #BusiLurayi. We’ll remember her as an incredibly talented actress who was a winner of her first #Safta for Best Supporting Actress in a TV Comedy in 2006. #RIPBusiLurayi pic.twitter.com/hKlMKUZelM
— #SAFTAs (@SAFTAS1) July 11, 2022
@etvScandal wrote: “We would like to send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and fans of Busiswe Lurayi. She was an incredibly talented performer and will be missed greatly! May your soul rest in eternal peace.❤️🕊#RIPBusiLurayi.”
We would like to send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and fans of Busiswe Lurayi.
— Scandal! (@etvScandal) July 11, 2022
She was an incredibly talented performer and will be missed greatly! May your soul rest in eternal peace.❤️🕊#RIPBusiLurayi pic.twitter.com/0jNcW9kwgk
Media company Actor Spaces tweeted: “RIP to the gifted Busi Lurayi, your passion, determination and contribution will be forever remembered. 🕯 #RIPBusiLurayi.”
Lurayi’s fans from all over the world also took to Twitter to mourn her death.
Karen van Rooyen tweeted: “What terrible news! This is devastating and heartbreaking. Such an amazing talent. Condolences to the family 😔 RIP #busisiwelurayi you will be missed!”
What terrible news! This is devastating and heartbreaking. Such an amazing talent. Condolences to the family 😔
— Karen van Rooyen (@karenvanrooyen7) July 12, 2022
RIP #busisiwelurayi you will be missed!#SHOCKED #RIPBusiLurayi pic.twitter.com/pUKZOPHYx1
“Didn't know Busi Lurayi personally except for on screen of course, but wow. Her death shook me. Dying at the prime of your career has to be the epitome of how unfair life is. Yho. How To Ruin Christmas will never be the same again. Rest in glory, B❤️ #RIPBusiLurayi,” wrote @_SandisiweVani
Didn't know Busi Lurayi personally except for on screen of course, but wow. Her death shook shook me. Dying at the prime of your career has to be the epitome of how unfair life is. Yho. How To Ruin Christmas will never be the same again. Rest in glory, B❤️ #RIPBusiLurayi
— Sandisiwe (@_SandisiweVani) July 12, 2022