Siyabonga 'Sdumo' Zubane: Who was this talented 23-year-old whose life was cut short?

Thobile Zubane has spoken about her shattered heart ahead of her son Gomora actor Siyabonga Zubane's memorial service on Thursday, expressing hope she will get some answers after the 23-year-old's tragic death on May 1.

For the public, he was best known as “Sdumo” in Mzansi Magic's series Gomora, but for his family and friends, he was a fun-loving and talented person with a “childlike spirit” — which makes reports of him having committed suicide even more painful for his mom.

“I'm not OK at all. He was my second born of three sons and one daughter. 

“It is painful ... He was a respectful person, family-orientated and supportive and we will forever remember him,” she told TshisaLIVE.

She said she was awaiting the results from a post-mortem examination in the hope it would give her some answers.

It's painful ... we will forever remember him.

—  Siyabonga's mother, Thobile Zubane

His colleague and friend, actress Siphesihle Ndaba, who plays the role of MaZet on Gomora, spoke highly of him, saying he was exceptionally good at both dancing and acting.

“Siya was such a high energy, funny, super talented person. One thing about him, he always brought his A game to work. He came prepped and ready to play. He had such a childlike spirit.

“What some people don’t know is that Siya was also a dancer. He did ballet and tap dancing which is such a beautiful contrast from what people expected of him or rather from how his character 'Sdumo' was,” she told TshisaLIVE.

Speaking of their friendship, Siphesihle reflected how they used to tease each other, with Siyabonga calling her “size 2” because she has small feet, and she calling him “baby police” because of how short he was.

“Our friendship was extremely funny. The banter between us was unmatched ... He never failed to throw in a joke right before we’d shoot a scene.

“He never failed to make sure the people around him smiled. I guess now in retrospect I see that he always did that because he didn’t want anyone to feel how he truly did inside. 

“I hope he finds rest and peace. I hope he knows how much he is loved. How he made an imprint in our hearts and will never be forgotten. His talent will live on.” 

I hope he finds rest and peace. I hope he knows how much he is loved. How he made an imprint in our hearts and will never be forgotten. His talent will live on.

—  Siphesihle Ndaba

Only recently having made his debut on TV, Siyabonga had already made himself at home in people's lounges as they fell in love with his Yizo Yizo vibes as Sdumo. His fans took to social media platforms to express their heartbreak as his death, lamenting the potential for greatness that was abruptly ended.

Mention of his smile and positive energy is repeated in all tributes and yet everyone has been left shocked by the supposed darkness that engulfed him and eventually ended his life.

Siyabonga studied performing arts, doing dance as a major at the Tshwane University of Technology arts campus in Pretoria and had been exploring his talents in acting and dance.

He first blasted onto the entertainment scene in 2017 when he had a stint on Mzansi Magic's Isibaya playing the role of Bhungezi.

The actor went on to play Sdumo, is his last on-screen offering.

Born in Alexandra township in Johannesburg, Siyabonga didn't come from privilege and in the few interviews he did once he broke into mainstream acting, he was clear that he had to work for everything he was and had.

In an interview with Drum, the actor detailed some of the hardships he endured including dropping out of school due to a lack of funds.

The actor's close friend Hizel “StarBoy” Masemola, who's known the actor since 2018, told TshisaLIVE Siyabonga was one of the most generous people he knew.

“We shared most of the things together, food, clothes, personal space and secrets. He was an outstanding performer, a great listener. A short boy who always smiled. I have witnessed a lot of his dancing cause we were both passionate about it.”

Siya's memorial service is set to take place at the Joburg Theatre on Thursday and the actor will be laid to rest at Klipfontein community Hall on Sunday.

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