Mzansi Mourns Slain Actress Thandeka Mdeliswa

South Africa is mourning the death of yet another young woman. Local television personality Thandeka Mdeliswa fell victim to gender-based violence (GBV).

Police confirmed that Mdeliswa was shot by an unknown assailant after she investigated an altercation between her brother and two unidentified men.

The family of the 34-year-old slain actress – who was popularly known for her lead role in SABC’s isiNdebele language drama “iKani” – released a statement on Sunday, 6 September, confirming the passing of their child.

It read: “It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the passing of our dearest daughter. She was shot in Evander, Mpumalanga, [Thursday, 3 September 2020] … She passed on in the morning of the 5th September 2020 (Saturday)”.

The statement concluded with: “The brutality which was inflicted on our daughter has left us deeply hurt. We believe that justice will be served.”

The passing of Mdeliswa sent the shock waves across the country, which saw the hashtag #RIPThandekaMdeliswa trending on Twitter; many paid tribute, while others called for justice and urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to take decisive action to end GBV.

Police are currently in a hunt for a man who fled the scene after the shooting.

President Ramaphosa has confirmed that the nation’s Parliament has introduced three new constitutional Bills relating to combating GBV and once finalised, “will help to restore the confidence of the country’s women that the law is indeed there to protect them”.

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