South African actor Jonathan Rands - best known for his role as Percy Fitzpatrick in the 1992 feature film Jock of the Bushveld - died on Friday. He was 57.
Rands, who was admitted to Johannesburg's Milpark Hospital for heart surgery, died of complications shortly after undergoing the operation.
Yesterday, actor and singer Dawn Lindberg, a close friend of Rands, said she was "shocked and devastated" to hear the news.
"I received a call this morning from a close friend, who said he (Rands) went into hospital to put in a stent and complications arose and he died," she said.
"We are all devastated because he was so young. He was such a talented and incredible person, and one of the most-liked people in show business. This news is just so shocking."
According to a colleague of Rands, John Clarke, doctors did everything they could to save him.
"They moved him to Milpark Hospital because they have better equipment for that sort of emergency.
"But, sadly, it could not stop the clotting, which led to his blood pressure dropping and his condition deteriorating," said Clarke.
Rands was a former presenter of the environmental programme 50/50 and starred in several television series, including Westgate, 1922 and Ella Blue.
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