Daphney Hlomuka

Hlomuka was born in Durban, South Africa, but raised in KwaMashu during the Apartheid era.[1] She began acting in the theater in Durban in 1968,[2] and was considered to be a protégé of the Durban-based playwright, Welcome Msomi.[1] Her earliest theater credits included performances in two of Msomi's theatrical productions: Qombeni and Umabatha, which was a Zulu adaptation of William Shakespeare's Macbeth.[1] Umabatha became one of Msomu's most famous works.[1] Hlomuka worked in Zulu-language radio plays in the interim between Qombeni and Umabatha.[2]

She left South Africa briefly during the 1970s to tour with the cast of Ipi Tombi in Europe.[1] During the 1960s and 1970s, roles on screen or stage for black actors in South Africa were often difficult to find due to Apartheid.[1] Hlomuka often appeared off-screen as a radio actor in several popular Zulu drama series.[1]

Hlomuka finally had success on South African television during the 1980s when she was cast in the role of MaMhlongo in the dramatic television series, Hlala Kwabafileyo.[1] Her character, MaMhlongo, was the wife and widow of a wealthy tycoon.[1] To this day in South Africa, the word MaMgobhozi, which originated from the series and Ruth Cele's character, describes the gossip habits attributed to women.[1]

She also appeared in the 1980s television comedy, S’gudi S’naysi, opposite well known actor, Joe Mafela. Mafela portrayed the tenant, S’dumo. Hlomuka's character, Sis May, was S'dumo's well-intentioned, tolerant landlady.[1] The series was popular during its run.

Hlomuka's film and television credits spanned the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s (decade). She appeared in the 1995 film, Soweto Green as a maid and housekeeper named Tryphina, opposite actor John Kani.[1] She also starred as Queen Ntombazi in the 1986 South African television miniseries, Shaka Zulu. She also starred on the SABC 1 series Gugu no Andile, as her aunt. She also appeared in the 1996 syndicated television series, Tarzan: The Epic Adventures.[1]

Her most recent roles included Rhythm City, as well as a controversial Nguni language adaptation of the Shakespearean romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet.[1]

Daphney Hlomuka died of kidney cancer at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg on 1 October 2008, at the age of 59.[1] She was survived by her husband, Elliot Ngubane, and their four children.[1]

• Daphney Hlomuka at IMDb