The family of actor and comedian Ebenhaezer “Ebby” Dibakwane has confirmed that he died by suicide.
In a statement, they revealed that preliminary evidence suggests he took his own life, and they expect the post-mortem examination to confirm this.
Dibakwane passed away on Friday at the age of 31, leaving his loved ones devastated.
“Poignantly, Ebby was well-known for the talent of making people laugh, and yet he struggled with depression for a number of years. While his passing is devastating for us and for many who loved him, it is our prayer that this tragedy may remind all of us of the need to look out for each other while taking care of our own mental health, including seeking professional help where necessary,” the family shared in their statement.
Dibakwane, an award-winning comedian, will be buried this Friday in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, at Church Unlimited.
A memorial service will be held at the Bioscope Cinema in Johannesburg, where colleagues, friends, and fans will gather to celebrate his life.
The family also expressed gratitude to those organizing tributes in his honor.
Dibakwane rose to fame in the comedy scene, performing alongside major names like Trevor Noah, Aries Spears, Jeff Ross, Hannibal Buress, Marc Lottering, Basketmouth, Carl Joshua Ncube, Eugene Khoza, and Tats Nkonzo at the Comedy Central International Comedy Festival.
He also made a mark on television, first appearing in the e.tv soapie Ashes to Ashes in 2015 before hosting Walala Wasala on SABC1.
His acting credits include roles in Divorced at 50, Real Estate, Sisters, and Miseducation.
