'Cosby Show' actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner dies in drowning in Costa Rica
Warner played the loveable Theo Huxtable for all eight seasons of the show, helmed by disgraced comic actor Bill Cosby.
"We received a report of an adult male who died of drowning asphyxiation at Cocles Beach in Cahuita" on Sunday afternoon, said a statement from investigating police.
"When the victim entered the sea he was apparently pulled out by a current.
"The man was assisted by bystanders on the beach, but was pronounced dead by Red Cross lifeguards."
Local authorities identified him as the actor, and said his body had been transferred to a morgue for further analysis.
Warner, who was nominated for an Emmy for his work on "The Cosby Show," also appeared in sitcoms "Malcolm & Eddie" and "Reed Between the Lines."
"The Cosby Show," which ran from 1984 to 1992, was one of the biggest TV hits of its time, detailing the lives of a middle-class Black family in New York.
The show was inspired by the stand-up routines of Bill Cosby, who played the family's patriarch, a successful doctor.
The show was a commercial and critical hit, and was seen as groundbreaking for its depiction of a loving, happy Black family.
But its legacy has been overshadowed in recent years by dozens of complaints of sexual assault against Cosby, a man once known as "America's Dad."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
11 hours ago
- The South African
The Weeknd receives city honours in Toronto
Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, recently experienced a heartfelt return to his roots. On 26 July, the City of Toronto awarded him the Key to the City and declared the weekend as 'The Weeknd Weekend' in his honour. Local officials, community youth, and students from Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute, his former school, attended this private ceremony. Toronto's Mayor, Olivia Chow, praised the artist: 'Born in Toronto, Abel 'The Weeknd' Tesfaye represents the best of our city. From Scarborough to the global stage, he has reshaped modern R&B music as a multi-platinum, Diamond-certified artist, according to People . He uses his platform to create a lasting impact for Toronto and around the world.' She highlighted not only his musical achievements but also his ongoing commitment to positive change. The Weeknd addressed the gathering with gratitude. 'I'm deeply honoured to receive the Key to the City. It feels good to be home. Toronto is where I found my voice, and I'm committed to helping the next generation find theirs.' His connection to the city remains strong, as he continues to invest in its future. The singer revealed ambitious plans for community development. He will help revitalise a basketball court and build a mobile recording studio for the Boys & Girls Club of West Scarborough. Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute will also receive a new dance and arts studio, plus a sensory room for learners with developmental disabilities. Tesfaye's philanthropic commitment stretches far beyond Canada's borders. Since 2020, he has donated over R182 million to humanitarian causes globally. The Weeknd, who performs a series of homecoming shows in Toronto, has also achieved recent music milestones. Earlier this year, he became the highest-grossing Black male artist to perform at MetLife Stadium, according to Live Nation. His global influence underscores the potential for artists to bridge communities worldwide. Refusing to rest on his laurels, he shared with Variety, 'I don't think I can stop doing that. But everything needs to feel like a challenge.' He emphasised his desire to keep evolving and contributing. Tesfaye's example shows how one can give back, inspire young people, and remain ambitious, no matter the stage. His story is a compelling reminder for audiences in South Africa and beyond that roots, resilience, and reach matter in shaping a legacy. 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.
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Venus Williams: A global inspiration in an unjust world order
VenVenus Williams became the second-oldest woman ever to win a WTA Tour-level singles match, since Martina Navratilova back in Williams with her Barbie doll. Image: Instagram THIS past week, astonishing tennis champion Venus Williams became the second-oldest woman ever to win a WTA Tour-level singles match, since Martina Navratilova back in 2004. In a brilliant display, she beat Peyton Stearns 6-3, 6-4 at the Washington DC Open. This marks her winning streak following her first doubles match in three years, where she solidified a win at the DC Open alongside Hailey Baptiste this week. When Williams stepped onto the court this past week and clinched yet another hard-fought win, it was not just a personal triumph; it was a thunderous reminder of what resilience looks like in a world that has too often sidelined female athletes. For Black women in particular, Williams's legacy stretches far beyond the boundaries of a tennis court. It speaks to grit, excellence, and the persistent fight against a system built to exclude us — particularly those who are both Black and female. As a Black South African woman, I don't just see Venus. I see myself. I see the outstanding Caster Semenya. I see our stunning Banyana Banyana team. I see the first World Athletics Indoor Championships winner, Prudence Sekgodiso. And so, so many more. In the same breath, however, I also see the underfunded, overlooked, and underestimated athletes across our continent who rise despite various, arduous barriers set against them. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Being a woman in the professional sports world is incredibly tough. However, being a Black woman in sport — and any other sphere of society — is a double disadvantage. Racism and sexism work together to create nearly impenetrable walls. Whether it is access to elite training facilities, sponsorships, or fair media coverage, they are constantly demanded to do more with less, and then criticised for not doing enough. Black South African sportswomen face a specific set of challenges: historical racial inequalities, under-resourced development programmes in townships and rural areas, and deeply embedded gender biases. They are told to be grateful for crumbs when in reality they deserve seats at the main table. Globally and locally, the gender pay gap in sports is staggering. While male athletes rake in millions of rand, women are left scrambling for basic sponsorship. When Banyana Banyana qualified for the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup, the prize money promised to the team was barely a fraction of what the men's team would receive for a similar feat, despite the women outperforming them in global rankings and progress. This is not just a domestic problem. When Williams fought for equal prize money at Wimbledon — and won — it took years of hard-won activism, even with her legendary status. How much longer will it take for African women athletes to receive the most basic recognition? The limitations in access also coincide with the limitations of women's rights. Access to sport starts early, at a foundational stage. In many South African communities, however, young girls are commonly discouraged from participating. Sport is still seen as a 'man's game', and their facilities are either unavailable or prioritised for males. When you add the constant threat of gender-based violence, you begin to understand why many promising girls drop out of sports altogether. Even at professional levels, these basic rights are often denied. Female athletes lack access to legal support, maternity protections, and even healthcare. Many of our most formidable athletes retire early, not because of injuries or that their talent has faded, but because the system simply pushes them out. Many of the challenges women face in sports are also a direct result of poor policies. While there have been moves toward policy reforms, implementation remains weak. Gender equity clauses are often tokenistic — included in sporting federations' documentation that demands international compliance — but rarely enforced. Funding for women's sports remains minimal, and when cuts are made, women's programmes are the first to go. Furthermore, sports organisations love to make the widespread claim that if female athletes do not generate the same amount of viewership and visibility as male sports, they are undeserving of the standardised remuneration. This is nonsense and speaks to a wider problem of a general minimisation of female sports, from marketing to administration, and beyond. Ultimately, we do not need more slogans or one-off 'Women in Sport' campaigns. We need meaningful, transformative, measurable action. In fact, the most visible injustice is the lack of visibility of female sports. When South Africa hosted and dominated the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), the coverage was scarce and begrudging. More recently, Banyana Banyana made it to the semi-finals of the 2025 Wafcon. The coverage was undeniably minute! Which is particularly shameful, considering that the entire soccer world has recently concluded its most formidable competitions — such as the Premier League, the European League, and the Fifa Club World Cup — where it was a prime opportunity to garner viewership and sales for Wafcon. All of this, which is easily comparable to the blanket coverage that men's teams receive during even minor tournaments, is truly despicable. According to Change Our Game, 2022/2023 statistics, women's coverage represented an average of 19% of all coverage across the top five sports. Globally, only about 4% of sports media coverage is devoted to women's sports. Additionally, there is a significant problematisation in the lack of depth in the coverage of women's sports compared to men's sports. Change Our Game outlined that women were commonly described as 'quiet achievers', 'hard workers' and 'punching above their weight'. This speaks to an issue with the socialisation of women that sees them as non-athletes, as physically inadequate, and as the exception to a 'male game'. The media's silence certainly is not neutral. It directly shapes public perceptions, sponsorship interest, and the legitimacy of women athletes overall. It impacts the place of female sports in the world and restricts them to a second-class position. Like so many female athletes across the world, Williams's victory was a spark — but what we need is a wildfire. We need more Black women in boardrooms, coaching, policymaking positions, sports journalism, media, and beyond. We need equity, not pity. We need representation, not mere symbolism. Waiting costs so much more than investing. For every 'Venus' in the global spotlight, there are thousands of women on dusty fields and cracked courts across Africa, fighting for the chance to compete. They do not just want access; they deserve it, and they demand it. This is not merely about access, it's about justice. Until sport dismantles its barriers and reclaims its promise of equity, it will fail those who need it most. And this plight will not stop until sports truly becomes what it was always meant to be: fair, inclusive, and open to all. In the words of basketball star (WNBA) A'ja Wilson: 'Adversity is like fertiliser for greatness.' But greatness isn't grown on barren soil — resources must come before results. * Tswelopele Makoe is a gender and social justice activist and editor at Global South Media Network. She is a researcher, columnist, and an Andrew W Mellon scholar at the Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice, UWC. The views expressed are her own. ** The views expressed here do not reflect those of the Sunday Independent, IOL, or Independent Media. Get the real story on the go: Follow the Sunday Independent on WhatsApp.
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
From Soweto to the sea: SA's first Black freediver makes waves
ZANDILE Ndhlovu is South Africa's pioneering Black freediver, widely known as the 'Black Mermaid.' Image: Supplied ZANDILE Ndhlovu holds her breath. She's 25 metres underwater, without oxygen, and face-to-face with a bull shark off Sodwana Bay on KwaZulu-Natal's north coast. Man and beast engage in a silent stare-off. Then the shark glides away. It's not a movie scene, but a regular moment in the life of Ndhlovu - South Africa's pioneering Black freediver, widely known as the 'Black Mermaid.' 'You can't leave until the bull shark stops the stare-down,' she says, because you have to establish dominance. 'And then it eventually leaves, and you just break for the surface because you realise that if you hold yourself and you calm yourself, the animal is calm. So if you just pause in the moment and not freak out, you're already on the winning side.' Ndhlovu, known for her blue braids and fearlessness in the ocean, is a research assistant for an award-winning team of scientists featured in Shark Week 2025, airing this week on Discovery Channel Africa (DStv 121). Throughout the week, a series of documentaries will spotlight African scientists, conservationists, and filmmakers helping to reshape shark science and ocean storytelling. Last year, the series drew over 25 million global viewers. ZANDILE Ndhlovu, known as the Black Mermaid, and her colleagues, marine biologist Ryan Johnson(left) and shark geneticist Gibbs Kuguru, appear in the documentary Great White Reign of Terror. Image: Supplied Ndhlovu and her colleagues; shark geneticist Gibbs Kuguru and marine biologist Ryan Johnson, appear in the documentary Great White Reign of Terror, which investigates a spate of shark encounters in the Eastern Cape. Her job is to dive in and retrieve whatever the science team needs. 'Whether it's to dive in and retrieve a receiver or help with tagging or understand what the problem is; is there a shortage of food for the sharks? Why are they not there? My assistant work is a question of what do the scientists need and how can I get into the water and be able to do that in the most streamlined way that allows us to get closer to wildlife.' The founder of the Black Mermaid Foundation, conservationist, and TEDx speaker, Ndhlovu believes sharks can 'read' your heartbeat. 'That's why you have to pause, make eye contact until it elects that you can go and then you go. The secret is not to act like prey because sharks will always chase,' she says. 'I often say our fear is often the danger. There's a possibility that we can do something to harm them. And so there's something in capturing and holding ourselves accountable to how we show up in wildlife spaces that allow the animals to also be calm.' Sharks, she says, are essential to ocean health. 'They are ecosystem regulators. Without the big sharks, we have larger fish species that bloom and grow unchecked… They can eat up smaller species that are key to coral health.' Ndhlovu can freedive to 35 metres and hold her breath for over five minutes. 'The thing that is most humbling about freediving is that not every day is going to be a strong breath hold day. Some days you wake up and your body's like, no, and then other days you wake up and it's like, okay, cool.' Ironically, the writer and filmmaker who is South Africa's first Black female freediving instructor, grew up in Soweto, a landlocked township in Gauteng. This week, she told the Independent on Saturday that it all started at the age of 28 in 2016 when she went snorkelling for the first time. 'It was so beautiful that I wanted to know what happens after snorkelling,' said Ndhlovu. Scuba diving followed, then freediving, and finally the founding of the Black Mermaid Foundation. 'I said to myself, I think this is what I'm looking for. And from the first moment when I held my breath I knew that that's where I wanted to be.' Before turning to the ocean, Ndhlovu worked in customer relations and ran her own agency. But the ocean tugged at her heart and she listened. 'The pull to this day is the ability to be with the water. And in the water, there's no one identifier — not the idea of being Black or a woman or anything in this world. She's a universal equalizer. To her, we're just all human. And there's something about not holding the burden off of identity. There's something about just being.' Her mission now includes bringing marine access to township children. Through the Black Mermaid Foundation, she's already introduced over 1 000 youngsters from Langa and Gugulethu to snorkelling and conservation. 'Who I am is a conservationist, but at heart, a storyteller. My grandmother's table is where I learned about stories. I think about using stories as a powerful tool for change, for narrative expansion, for conservation.' To this day Ndhlovu calls Sodwana Bay her underwater home because that's where she had her first open water dive. 'It's a very special place to me… It's the one place where you could come across anything; great white sharks, bull sharks, whale sharks, whales. It's such a magical part of the country.' However, she warns that Sodwana Bay is already showing signs of climate change because recently she went diving there and noticed coral bleaching. She believes that local coastal communities who are often wrongly blamed for what's happening in our waters have a crucial role in conservation. 'Local communities may not be the hardest hitters of impact on the ocean, but when we're catching small fish, that kills reefs, which means less fish… There is a powerful place for ocean literacy, education that allows communities to see how we can do better together.' As Shark Week hits local screens, and Ndhlovu starts a new six month course for children in Philippi, Cape Town she reflects on what her journey means. 'Just to see these shows come home is powerful because, again, it's just such a reminder that regardless of where you come from, you don't know where the world will take you. Even as a girl from Soweto, who only found the ocean at 28 years old, it's never too late. But also the world is open and what a time to be alive.'
