Celebrating Nandi Nyembe: a soulful goodbye to South Africa’s storytelling icon

Family, friends and fellow artists gathered at the iconic Market Theatre in Newtown, Johannesburg, to celebrate the extraordinary life of legendary actress Nandi Nyembe.

Nyembe, 75, passed away on Saturday, August 23, after battling a long illness while receiving palliative care.

The vibrant celebration of her life was filled with stories and reflections on the joy she brought to countless people.

Hosted by actresses Rami Chuene and Lerato Mvelase, the memorial was an emotional tribute to a woman whose presence lit up any room.

"I would like to welcome you all this afternoon to a celebration of a young woman's life. That's what today is all about. We are here to celebrate, we are here to remember that life must be lived, because this woman lived," said "Marked" actress, Mvelase.

She continued: "For all of us who got to encounter her, she reminded us that you are as young as you ever want to feel, and mam' Nandi was the youngest woman we all knew ... We thank everyone for being here today, not only to celebrate her life, but to witness who mam' Nandi was, to share in her memory, joy for life and to share in her youth.

"Artists are the simplest people. We just want to share what God has given us and be celebrated. I guess that is what mam' Nandi wanted, and that's why she celebrated herself. In her pain, she celebrated herself, because she knew that her job as an artist, the name Nandi Nyembe, is one that you don't mess with." 

Greg Homann, the COO of the Market Theatre, shared: "There is a long relationship between this space (Market Theatre) and Nandi Nyembe. I never had the privilege of working with her, but over the week, I spoke to a number of colleagues who have, and they speak particularly of the time in relation to this building and the 80s.

"When she occupied various roles at the Market Theatre, most significantly in the audience development department as well as in a marketing and publicity role and went on to be in the touring production of 'Sophiatown', an iconic piece of South African theatre, and that is the beginning of a long and illustrious career in the arts."

Homann highlighted how Nyembe had not only touched people’s hearts through her performances but also contributed tremendously to the nation’s cultural landscape.

"We are deeply privileged to bring this full-circle moment back to the Market Theatre to acknowledge the legacy and celebrate the life of Nandi Nyembe, someone who has touched our hearts, not only on stage, but significantly in TV and film and who has contributed to the consciousness and the way in which we feel as a nation."

Among the mourners was award-winning director and filmmaker Angus Gibson, who worked alongside Nyembe on numerous productions.

With tears in his eyes, he remembered the last time he saw her at the Saftas, where she appeared in a wheelchair but radiated grace and dignity. 

"I last saw Nandi at the Saftas. She was in a wheelchair with her son, and she looked grand. The point is, even a wheelchair couldn't keep her down."

Gibson recalled the first time he saw her striking presence on stage, where she effortlessly combined vulnerability and strength.

"The first time I saw her was on the stage in one of the small theatres here. She was so beautiful on stage; she wore a big sun hat in the play, but she wasn't just beautiful. Immediately, I felt this strange combination of vulnerability and strength.

"There was a depth to what she did. I next worked with her on 'Sophiatown' and we travelled many places, and that's a space where you find out a lot about people, she was solid and wonderful to be with."

Gibson revealed that, despite her hard life and struggles, Nyembe never lost her spirit. 

"I realised that life had dealt her some really hard blows, but still, she was not this tragic figure, she was this glorious figure ... With virtually every project I'd think if there was a way to fit Nandi into it, so with 'Yizo Yizo' she was there as a nurturing mother, 'Zone 14' she was the matriarch.

"She would offer her time to work with beginner actors and teach them how to deal with the huge attention that comes with television, but also the skills of being a great actor, so she was extraordinarily giving."

He also acknowledged the tough realities she faced, including moments of financial insecurity.

"She always presented this great side until her back was against the wall, and she would call me. At times, it felt like she was going to be on the street. She was losing her house, so as great an actor as she was, it didn't protect her from a tough world."      

Christina Mthethwa, who spoke on behalf of Nyembe's close friends, described her as more than just an actress.

"She was a storyteller, a trailblazer and a beacon for many who dared to dream of making their voices heard through performance. 

"Her presence lit up every space she entered, but behind the brilliance we celebrated publicly, there was a journey that many did not see. For women in the arts, the path is often riddled with challenges, challenges that mam' Nandi faced with grace and determination.

"The industry can be unforgiving. We witnessed her struggles, the unequal opportunities, the constant pressure to prove oneself amongst the masculinity. The emotional toll of being undervalued despite talent.

"Women are expected to endure, to persevere and yet society rarely acknowledges the weight of these burdens. Mam' Nandi bore this with courage, and she deserved our recognition not just for her craft but for her resilience.

"In her last days, she would proudly speak up in public, she said it as is, she vouched for young and up-and-coming talent, she voiced out challenges with the industry."

Mthethwa urged everyone to honour Nyembe’s legacy by embodying compassion and supporting one another within the arts community.

"Let us honour her by remembering the importance of compassion within our arts and our families so that no one, who shines as brightly as she did, has to face such trials alone."

Victoria “Tori” Molotsi of Moonyeenn Lee, the agency that represented Nyembe, spoke with deep sadness about the loss of such a beloved actress.

"Mam' Nandi's departure leaves a profound sadness in our hearts. The industry feels emptier without her voice, her laughter, her fire. She was the very soul of South African storytelling, a teacher, a mentor, a mother-figure and a valued part of our MLA family ... She was meant to be a performer and loved it with all her heart. It was, without a doubt, in her DNA.

Molotsi continued: "She worked tirelessly for over five decades, taking on role after role, always excited about her characters and working with her fellow performers. What we will remember at MLA is her stamina, her sheer will, even when times were hard and her health faltered, she showed up with grace, grit and an unmistakable spark in her eyes. 

"She taught us how to live, how to carry ourselves with integrity, even in the toughest seasons. While our hearts are heavy, it is also full. Full of memories, gratitude and love. We are all richer for knowing her."