Gone but not forgotten: film and TV roles portrayed by late actor Don Mlangeni-Nawa
Mzansi lost one of its greatest talents, Don Mlangeni-Nawa, on April 16.
The veteran actor died aged 65 of prostate cancer.
He is described as a legend who was dedicated to his craft. He starred in many hit productions including Sgudi 'Snaysi, The Throne, Isidingo and The Estate, among others.
Here are memorable TV roles he played that we'll never forget:

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The South African
28-05-2025
- The South African
Don Mlangeni's family reacts to rumours of a fight over his estate
It's been barely a month since veteran actor Don Mlangeni was laid to rest, and already his family has had to address rumours surrounding his 'estate.' The family has responded to reports claiming they are fighting over his house. This follows a video shared by celebrity blog Maphephandaba, showing the actor's wife, Regina Nawa, in a heated verbal altercation with another woman. In the video, police and others can intervene as the two argue over living arrangements. The blog alleged that the dispute was over Don Mlangeni's house, money, and other belongings. 'Bra Don has hardly rest in peace, however his wife and family are already fighting for his house, monies, and everything. Ke thibang thibang (block here and there) at Orlando East in Soweto. Neighbours even called the police because one of the family members fainted while fists were flying,' read the post. However, the family dismissed the claims through the actor's official Instagram account. In a post shared to his Instagram Story, the Nawa family labelled the story fake news. 'This situation has nothing to do with Don Mlangeni Nawa nor his property,' said the family. The family also explained that Regina was fighting the rooms she had built, and the incident happened back in January. Mlangeni died on 16 April and was laid to rest on 26 April. During his funeral service, his widow, Regina, spoke about his last months, revealing he had been silently battling an illness. Addressing mourners, she shared: 'My husband had prostate cancer. He did his first chemotherapy, but it never worked, he tried a second treatment, but it became so aggressive that they had to cut it short. 'He gained weight over time, but it was false weight. The chemotherapy caused a build-up of water in his body. He was in and out of the hospital until eventually, he was released and told to go home and die with his family.' WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS? 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.


The Citizen
06-05-2025
- The Citizen
Trump's film tantrum: Brandon Auret calls on Gayton McKenzie to invest in local films
'I'm a firm believer in that when the door is closed, jump through the window,' actor Brandon Auret told The Citizen. Auret has called on Minister Gayton McKenzie to use Donald Trump's 100% tariffs on films made outside of the US, as an opportunity to invest in local film industry. Picture: brandon_auret/ Instagram South African actor and filmmaker Brandon Auret has called on Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie to use Donald Trump's 100% tariffs on films made outside of the US as an opportunity to invest in the local film industry. The US president recently proposed a 100% tariff on all foreign-produced content. If implemented, it would apply to locally made films, potentially even productions filmed here and series sold into the US. 'I'm a firm believer in that when the door is closed, jump through the window,' Auret told The Citizen. Opportunity Auret, who most South Africans were introduced to when he appeared on the SABC 3 soapie Isidingo as Leon du Plessis, said he doesn't blame Trump for his decision because it's always been much cheaper for foreign films to be made outside of the US. Auret said the decision was however sad for the South African industry because not enough films are being made by locals. 'Hollywood screwed itself, especially with Los Angeles. The prices that they were paying to get location licenses, to get permits to be able to film in a studio- the executives screwed you over, it's not other countries, mister Donald Trump,' said Auret. 'The big money guys, they chased the films away. It became too expensive to shoot in Los Angeles.' The South African actor said that if one takes a movie with a $10 million budget in the US and shoots it in South Africa, the conversion rate means the budget swells to at least R180 million. 'You could shoot the exact same quality film in South Africa, with our crew, our cast. It makes sense not to shoot in a country that's not overcharging you for everything.' He said this was an opportunity for McKenzie to step up for the local film industry. 'Not just the sport side of it, but the arts and culture side of it. Get your mayors, councillors from different areas to put money into a film and let every place in South Africa become a film location,' expressed Auret. 'There's no backing. Nobody is doing a thing about the film industry, the DTIC and the NFVF has screwed over people,' Auret claimed. The Citizen contacted McKenzie's office for comment, but was unsuccessful at the time of publishing. Any response will be included once received. ALSO READ: SA's film success faces a Trump-sized threat 'No backing' In March, members of the Independent Black Filmmakers Collective, Independent Producers Organisation and other industry players protested outside the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) offices in Tshwane, voicing growing concerns over the DTIC's failure to address critical issues impacting the industry. In April, the South African Screen Federation (SASFED) criticised McKenzie for appointing National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) CEO Vincent Blennies. 'The minister's disregard for established rules and guidelines can harm the regulatory frameworks that have been put in place to ensure fair distribution of resources, transparency and effective governance in the sector,' read a statement from SASFED. While addressing McKenzie as the minister, Auret called on mayors and politicians to invest in domestically-made films. 'Invest some of that money into filmmaking. Get those films to come over to your little town, little cities [and] shoot there, employ the locals,' said Auret. He said the benefit is that it creates a whole ecosystem, including accommodation, food, and transport services. The shooting of a film could involve as many as 180 people. 'The money spent on a film doesn't just go into the film; it's not like everything ends up on the screen. There's a lot of money spent outside of the film' ALSO READ: South Africans make their presence felt at the Met Gala in New York Tourism Auret says there's a lucrative tourism factor when people shoot films across South Africa. The impact of cinema on tourism is enormous. The fantasy film series The Lord of the Rings significantly contributed to New Zealand's GDP through tourism. The series, which was filmed entirely down under, boosted tourism by about 50%, bringing in an estimated NZ$33 million (R600 M+) annually. By 2018, New Zealand welcomed 3.6 million visitors annually, and tourism became the nation's largest export industry. Auret said South Africa has more to offer tourists than the country's three biggest metros, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. 'My whole big thing is not just about making films, not just about investing in the communities that are in those cities, but opening up the tourism. Getting people to go 'wow, that movie was shot where?'' NOW READ: REVIEW: Riky Rick's last album 'Boss Zonke Forever' epitomises his passion for young people

TimesLIVE
06-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Actress Didintle Khunou 'ready to take a chance' on music
Actress Didintle Khunou is venturing into music. Didintle is an award-winning screen, stage and voice actor born in Klerksdorp, North West, who has starred on Savage Beauty, Isono and The Throne. The 32-year-old recently released her debut single Say It. Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Didintle said she's carving her place in the music industry. "I am in a phase of stepping out of my comfort zone. As an actor, that is something we always have to do — but I think this year I was ready, more than ever, to take that risk, to experiment and exercise all my talents. "I've always had a deep love for music, and Say It is a reflection of that passion. It's bold, it's sexy and it's a song that celebrates desire and connection in the most intoxicating way. "I think I have proven my vocal abilities in The Colour Purple and Rocky Horror Picture Show — and I am ready to play, experiment and take a chance."