Bafana mlangeni biography of donald
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He also acted in shows such as Uzalo, The River, and the recent Netflix series Soon Comes Night.
In 2018, he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Royalty Soapie Awards, cementing his place as one of South Africa’s most respected entertainers.
He was married and a father of five.
Reactions to Don Mlangeni’s death
Don Mlangeni’s passing has sparked a wave of tributes from fans and fellow entertainers alike.
Don Mlangeni’s legacy will continue to live on through the countless lives he touched and the memorable characters he created.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans during this time of sorrow. Rest in peace, Don Mlangeni — your voice, your presence, and your talent will never be forgotten.
South African acting legend Don Mlangeni Nawa has passed away.
Don Mlangeni dies: What’s the cause of death?
The news was confirmed by his family in a statement released on Wednesday, 16 April 2025.
"There will never be another: Acting fraternity honours Don Mlangeni Nawa at memorial", News24, 25 April[1]
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2025. With a career that spanned decades, he left an indelible mark on South African television and became a household name for his roles in popular TV dramas.
In 2013–2014 he appeared as himself in the talk show Zaziwa (2023),
He made one film appearance, playing the "SWAT Commander" in Losing Lerato (2019)
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Mlangeni_Nawa#:~:text=Don%20Mlangeni%20Eric%20Nawa%20(7,Don%20Mlangeni%20Eric%20Nawa
National Arts Festival programme, 1995.
Veteran actor Don Mlangeni has sadly passed away, as confirmed by his family in a heartfelt statement released on Wednesday, 16 April.
Also known as Don Eric Mlangeni, Don Mlangeni-Nawa or Don Mlangeni Nawa. His natural talent and dedication soon saw him transition to television, where he would become a household name.
He stole hearts as Laqhasha in the classic sitcom ‘Sgudi ‘Snaysi, and later captivated millions with his long-running role as Zebedee Matabane on Isidingo — a character he played for 16 incredible years.
Throughout his illustrious career, Don Mlangeni starred in hit shows like:
Hlala Kwabafileyo
The Throne
Legacy
Uzalo
The Estate
His powerful performances earned him accolades, including:
- Golden Horn Award for Best Actor in a TV Soap (2006)
- Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 Royalty Soapie Awards
He wasn’t just a star on the screen — he was a mentor and inspiration to countless aspiring actors.
Don Mlangeni is survived by his wife and five children, who described him as “the heart of our family, a loving father, brother, and friend.” His family has requested privacy during this time of grief, with funeral and memorial details to be shared in due course.
From fellow actors to longtime fans, tributes have poured in across the country.
Over the years, he brought numerous characters to life, each with depth and authenticity, earning him several award nominations and accolades.
The news of his passing was met with an outpouring of tributes on social media.
He then went on to an illustrious career in television in 1986, appearing in TV series like'Sgudi 'Snaysi (1986–1992), Ubambo Lwami (1989), Hlala Kwabafileyo (1992), Cycle Simenon (1995), Isidingo (1998–2014), Stokvel (2005–2006), Rockville (2015), Uzalo (2015–2017), The River (2018, 2023), Abomama (2018–2021), The Throne (2018–2019), The Republic (2019), Legacy (2020-2021), The Estate (2021-2023), Good Men (2022), Makoti (2022), uMbali (2022), Shaka iLembe (2023) and Soon Comes Night (2024).
They also mentioned that details of his memorial service and funeral arrangements would be shared in due course.https://x.com/nozipho_mashaba/status/1912412962851115313?t=FxF69F9kLiZSSb5UFC46Sw&s=19
Born and raised in South Africa, Don Mlangeni’s journey to stardom was marked by hard work, dedication, and an unwavering passion for storytelling.
He started out in theatre and broke into the television industry with his role in the Zulu drama Hlala Kwabafileyo in 1993.
He went on to star in several major TV shows, with one of his most iconic roles being Zebedee Matabane on the soap opera Isidingo, which he played from 1998 until 2014.
However, he departed from Isidingo in 2014 following a disciplinary matter.
His other major roles included Laqhasha in the sitcom ’Sgudi ’Snaysi, Prince Moseki in The Throne, and Shadrack Mokobane in The Estate.
He died on 16 April 2025. Rest in power, Don Mlangeni.
Contribution to South African theatre, film, media and performance
Mlangeni started his acting career in the theatre, appearing in plays like Moja Moja (1995, as "Bra Sam"). Known for his charisma, commanding screen presence, and versatility, Mlangeni earned the love and respect of both audiences and industry peers alike.
One of his most celebrated roles was in the long-running SABC1 drama series “Isidingo,” where he played the character Zebedee Matabane.
The couple had five children. As of now, the public has only been informed of the date of his death — 16 April 2025.
Don Mlangeni biography
Don Mlangeni Eric Nawa was born on 7 June 1959 in Boksburg, South Africa. With a career spanning decades, his impact on local TV will never be forgotten.
Born on June 7, 1959, in Boksburg, Don Mlangeni began his acting journey on the stage.
His portrayal of Zeb, a strong-willed and often humorous patriarch, won him acclaim and a loyal fanbase. Social media is flooded with messages of love, remembrance, and gratitude for the joy Don brought to South African screens.
His legacy is one of passion, perseverance, and authenticity — values he lived both on and off screen.
“Don Mlangeni wasn’t just an actor.