Veteran actress Cynthia Shange laid to rest in private ceremony

Cynthia Shange buried over the past weekend

Cynthia Shange has been laid to rest, with her family opting for a private farewell.

The veteran actress and former beauty queen was buried on Sunday, 26 April, in Inanda, north of Durban, nearly a week after her passing.

She died on 20 April at the age of 76 following a short illness.

While the ceremony was kept away from the public eye, tributes have continued to pour in from across the country, with many honouring her as a woman who broke barriers and opened doors for generations to come.

Shange’s name is etched in South African history; in 1972, she made a bold statement on the global stage when she became the first Black woman to represent the country at the Miss World pageant in London, competing under the Miss Africa South title at the height of apartheid.

Over the years, she built a respected acting career, appearing in productions that helped shape the local film and television industry, including u’Deliwe, Shaka Zulu and Muvhango.

Her contribution to the arts earned her multiple accolades, including lifetime achievement honours.

Despite her public legacy, her family chose a quiet send-off, attended only by close relatives and loved ones, allowing them space to grieve and celebrate her life away from the spotlight.