Comedic icon Oscar ‘Madluphuthu' Mgudlwa dies at 50
The news of his passing was confirmed by his son, Asanda, who shared a heartfelt tribute on social media:
'Rest in peace dad. I love you and I will forever love you, Madiba Dlomo.'
Oscar rose to national fame in the early 2000s through the Madluphuthu comedy film series, where he starred as Madluphuthu . His on-screen chemistry with the late Winnie Khumalo, who played his mother, was unforgettable.
These films did more than just entertain; they became cultural touchstones that resonated deeply with South Africans. Through humour and relatable storytelling, they captured the essence of township life and the daily grind faced by ordinary people.
What set Oscar apart was his raw and relatable brand of storytelling. He didn't just perform, he embodied the spirit of Kasi culture with authenticity and heart. His humour was sharp, his characters real, and his delivery unmatched.
In an era before social media virality, Oscar became a household name simply by connecting with the people through laughter and honesty.
Beyond his famed role in Madluphuthu , Oscar was a multi-talented creative. He contributed as a scriptwriter, musician, and all-around storyteller who understood the pulse of South Africa.
He later appeared in e.tv's The Black Door , where he once again showcased his versatility and depth as an actor.
His untimely death has shocked fans across the country. Tributes have been pouring in on social media, with many sharing fond memories of the joy he brought into their homes.
For many, his work represented more than just comedy, it was a reflection of real life and a source of comfort.
Lethukuthula Mashinini wrote, 'My heartfelt condolences to you.'
Jen Zwane shared, 'Condolences to you and the family. What a stellar guy he was.'
Sebabatso Monageng wrote, 'Condolences to you, your family and community at large. Your Dad was a legend, a power house on the screens.'
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE MADLUPHUTHU MOMENT OR LINE?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 .
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- The Citizen
‘My stomach is confused': Siya Kolisi serves up culinary heritage, humour and humanity
From ulusu to sushi: Rugby star Siya Kolisi shared his adventurous culinary journey alongside his Springbok 'brotherhood' this week. Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, is as much a cultural icon as he is a rugby legend. Known for his infectious energy and deep connection to his South African roots, Kolisi took to social media this week to share a lighthearted quip about his 'confused stomach' with fans. After enjoying a traditional dish of ulusu (beef tripe), Kolisi and Springbok teammates Eben Etzebeth and Damian de Allende headed to the Cape Town sushi spot, Oishi, for dinner. Springbok captain Siya Kolisi dines with 'the boys' Kolisi jokingly noted on his Instagram account that the sudden switch from the rich ulusu dish to sushi, left his stomach 'confused'. Alongside a picture of him and the 'the boys', the Bok captain posted: 'After camp dinner with the boys . My stomach is confused from ilusu to sushi.' From township to the global table: Siya Kolisi's culinary roots The star rugby player's playful comment is evidence of his adventurous palate, as well as his love for traditional African cuisine. Growing up in Zwide, Gqeberha, Kolisi developed a fondness for dishes like 'walkie talkies' (chicken feet) and his appreciation for traditional food reflects his commitment to celebrating his Xhosa heritage, The Citizen previously reported on Kolisi tucking into traditional cuisine along with fellow Springboks Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi at the popular Durban eatery, Fresh Food with Thuladu. From left: Springboks Lukhanyo Am, Siya Kolisi, Makazole Mampimpi. Inset: Chicken feet and dombolo. Pictures: Instagram/ @siyakolisi From umngqusho to bagel dogs and snails: Siya Kolisi takes fans on culinary trip Siya Kolisi frequently shares his gastronomic adventures on social media with fans. The South African rugby hero's diverse taste ranges from indulging in umngqusho (samp and beans) with Sharks player Aphelele Fassi in Johannesburg, to popping in at New York bagels in Cape Town for bagel dogs. His willingness to try new dishes, like snails in France, shows his open-mindedness and zest for life. Siya Kolisi hinted at his next culinary challenge – frog legs, after sampling snails in France. Picture: Instagram/ @siyakolisi Kolisi tried the French delicacy back in 2023 when he played for the rugby club, Racing 92, and lived in Paris with his then wife, Rachel Kolisi, and children. Mentorship over a meal: Bonding with Batho Hlekani Beyond his culinary exploits, Kolisi shines bright in his role as a mentor. Earlier this week, he took Junior Springbok star Batho Hlekani – also from Zwide – for a special lunch and shopping outing in Cape Town. Hlekani, a rising star who helped the Junior Boks win the U20 World Cup, is seen as a future leader in South African rugby. The two loose forwards bonded over a meal of traditional amanqina (cow heels). Kolisi's Instagram post celebrated their heritage: 'Children of Mgquba, from Zwide, Emsengeni and African Bombers today we represent South Africa, God is powerful ❤️🙏🏾.' Fans praised his leadership, with one commenting: 'Proper mentorship done right! Take a bow Cap!'
The Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
Pretoria's Elbert 'Pikachu' Steyn gears up to make MMA history at first PFL Africa event in Gauteng
Pretoria's Elbert 'Pikachu' Steyn gears up to make MMA history at first PFL Africa event in Gauteng He is a former amateur wrestling champion and, by his own admission, he is easily underestimated by opponents because of his physique. But Elbert Steyn, one of Pretoria's rising MMA stars, usually has the last laugh. 'Once they've dealt with my power, they quickly realize with surprise what they're dealing with,' Steyn said earlier this week on the eve of his Professional Fighters League (PFL) featherweight bout against an opponent from Morocco. As the world's fastest growing MMA tournament lands in Gauteng, Steyn, a very talented fighter and one of the true characters in MMA ranks, is ready to make history in front of a sold-out home crowd on Saturday. He is known as 'Pikachu' in the ring because of his physical appearance. When asked about his nickname, Steyn replied that at one point in his career he took a long break from martial arts during which he was not very active. Then he returned to the sport with a slight belly. The guys in the gym started jokingly calling him 'Pikachu' after the Pokémon character. 'But they soon realized that my appearance wasn't the last thing they remembered about me after sparring with me. I still beat them up,' he said with a smile. On Saturday 9 August, PFL Africa will host its second ever event in Gauteng, following a sold-out debut in Cape Town in July. This event will see Steyn step into the PFL SmartCage for a first-round featherweight bout against Morocco's Abderrahman Errachidy in the Big Top Arena at Carnival City, Brakpan. The 25-year-old Steyn is the only South African fighter on the card, which features 20 of the best featherweights and welterweights on the continent. Steyn will be looking to extend his unbeaten professional record (3-0) against Errachidy and secure his place in the PFL Africa semi-finals in the process. Speaking at the official PFL Africa: Johannesburg Media Event hosted at Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, Steyn highlighted the importance the crowd will play in his fight. 'PFL Africa is definitely a history making event and everyone there on Saturday is going to be part of history. I am super excited to be there and I know the crowd is going to absolutely bring it. I have also got a lot of supporters, and I am going to carry them on my back. That pressure helps shape and motivate me, so I love to have that support and deal with the pressure it brings,' he commented. Nigeria's Patrick Ocheme, who will take on Mohamed Camara from Guinea in the main event, emphasised the importance of PFL Africa in providing a platform to local fighters. 'There are a lot of guys who are constantly training, just waiting for the opportunity to show the world what they can actually do. PFL Africa provides that opportunity to showcase our talents on a global stage,' Steyn remarked. Steyn described taking part in an event of the magnitude of the PFL in South Africa as a dream come true. 'I never thought I would do PFL in South Africa. I always knew I'd make it to the big stage eventually, but I didn't think that would be locally, so that's a shocker for me,' he said. In total, 32 fighters representing 15 African nations will compete across the four PFL Africa divisions in 2025, as the league embarks on a continent wide journey to crown the first-ever PFL Africa Champions. For more details, visit the Professional Fighters League (PFL) website at or follow them on social media. Fight fans can catch the action live on Saturday night. Tickets can be purchased from TicketPro. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
SowetanLIVE
6 hours ago
- SowetanLIVE
Avumile Qongqo - The queen of indie films
Avumile Qongqo is basking in the glory of the success of The Last Ranger — Mzansi's first Oscar-nominated film since Tsotsi won almost 20 years ago. Nobody saw the gritty Cindy Lee-directed short film coming until it was became an Oscars sleeper when the 97th annual Academy Award nominations were announced on 23 January. Just like that, lead star Qongqo's career took a turn, with her making waves as the queen of local indie films. Qongqo is no newbie, although she humbly refers to herself as a 'film novice'. Much like her indie film's sleeper hit status, she has had a long and quiet showbiz career, making a number of U-turns on her way to the Oscars. In the early 2000s, she was a model muse and mannequin strutting the runway for top SA designers. She quickly found Miss SA fame, as first princess in 2005 (Nokuthula Sithole won) and again in 2007 (Tansey Coetzee won). Then, in the early 2010s, she ventured into broadcast journalism as news anchor on ANN7.
