Daphney Hlomuka

Daphney Hlomuka (1949 – 1 October 2008) was a South African television, film, radio and stage actress.^[1] On the small screen, Hlomuka was perhaps best known to audiences for her role as MaMkhize (Mrs Mhlongo) in the television drama series, , and as Sis May in the comedy, , opposite Joe Mafela.^[1]

Hlomuka was born in Durban, South Africa, but raised in KwaMashu during the Apartheid era.^[1] She began acting in the theater in Durban in 1968,^[2] and was considered to be a protégé of the Durban-based playwright, Welcome Msomi.^[1] Her earliest theater credits included performances in two of Msomi's theatrical productions: and Umabatha, which was a Zulu adaptation of William Shakespeare's Macbeth.^[1] Umabatha became one of Msomu's most famous works.^[1] Hlomuka worked in Zulu-language radio plays in the interim between Qombeni and Umabatha.^[2]

She left South Africa briefly during the 1970s to tour with the cast of Ipi Tombi in Europe.^[1] During the 1960s and 1970s, roles on screen or stage for black actors in South Africa were often difficult to find due to Apartheid.^[1] Hlomuka often appeared off-screen as a radio actor in several popular Zulu drama series.^[1]

Hlomuka finally had success on South African television during the 1980s when she was cast in the role of MaMhlongo in the dramatic television series, .^[1] Her character, MaMhlongo, was the wife and widow of a wealthy tycoon.^[1] To this day in South Africa, the word MaMgobhozi, which originated from the series and Ruth Cele's character, describes the gossip habits attributed to women.^[1]

She also appeared in the 1980s television comedy, , opposite well known actor, Joe Mafela. Mafela portrayed the tenant, S’dumo. Hlomuka's character, Sis May, was S'dumo's well-intentioned, tolerant landlady.^[1] The series was popular during its run.

Hlomuka's film and television credits spanned the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s (decade). She appeared in the 1995 film, Soweto Green as a maid and housekeeper named Tryphina, opposite actor John Kani.^[1] She also starred as Queen Ntombazi in the 1986 South African television miniseries, Shaka Zulu. She also starred on the SABC 1 series Gugu no Andile, as her aunt. She also appeared in the 1996 syndicated television series, Tarzan: The Epic Adventures.^[1]

Her most recent roles included , as well as a controversial Nguni language adaptation of the Shakespearean romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet.^[1]

Daphney Hlomuka died of kidney cancer at in Johannesburg on 1 October 2008, at the age of 59.^[1] She was survived by her husband, Elliot Ngubane, and their four children.^[1]

References[]

External links[]

• Daphney Hlomuka at IMDb