Manqele passed away after spending more than a week in hospital.
Tributes continue to be expressed for actress and screenwriter Sibusisiwe Gugu Manqele following her untimely death at the age of 35.
Manqele’s family made the announcement regarding her death in a statement released on Friday, 23 October.
As per the family’s statement, the actress passed away on 22 October after being hospitalized for over a week due to a cardiac issue.
“It is with deep sadness that her family announces the passing of Sibusisiwe Gugu Manqele, aged 35, on 22 October 2026, after more than a week in hospital due to a cardiac condition,” the statement read.
Manqele’s dedication to education and the arts
Her family also emphasized her dedication to education and the creative fields through her research, mentoring, and advocacy efforts.
Born in Ulundi, located in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Manqele was a SAFTA-winning screenwriter, actress, voice artist, and multidisciplinary creator. She served as the CEO of ContentWood.
She was a contributor to numerous South African television series, including Skeem Saam, Gomora, House of Zwide and Umkhokha. Furthermore, she appeared in Intersexions 2 and took on the role of assistant director for Pass Over at the Market Theatre.
Manqele was actively involved in academia, possessing degrees in dramatic arts, creative writing, film, and television from Wits University. At the time of her passing, she was pursuing a Mellon-funded doctoral degree in Culture, Communication, and Media Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Her family noted that the university had received her PhD examiners’ reports mere hours before she passed away.
“A few hours before her passing, the University received her PhD examiners’ reports, which found that she had satisfied all requirements for her PhD, making her eligible for the degree upon attending to the recommended corrections,” the statement read.
“Above all, Sibusisiwe loved God, and her faith was at the heart of everything she did,” the statement added.
Since the announcement, tributes have emerged on social media, with many reflecting on her contributions and impact.
“So sad, followed her, she was such an inspiration,” Phakamile remarked on X.
