Lala Ngoxolo Mam’ Mary Twala Mhlongo.

Bab’Mhlongo could not celebrate yet another birthday in heaven without the love of his life, u’Mam Mary Twala, highly praised, South African Veteran actress. Eleven hours into the day of the fourth, Johannesburg, Parklane Private Hospital was the last place uMama got to grace with her presence, physically.

After her first role in the early 1960s, her acting career has reached heights that have made it almost illegal to be a South African citizen and not be familiar with her greatness. Be it from the Monday, thirty minute terrifyingly addictive TV series, Ubizo: The calling, ugogo ka Leleti Khumalo on the revolutionary film, Sarafina, the four season kasi defining soap Zone 14 and the one and only Yizo – Yizo , she has always brought her A game, which became her only game.

The very last production Mary was starred in is fiction feature by Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese , This Is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection where she played the role on Montoa , a broken old – women that mourns the life of her husband, son, daughter and grandson.

She dedicated sixty years to the arts and her efforts did not go unseen. Having been awarded with the Order of Ikhamanga on the 25th of April 2019, “in recognition of the versatility and longevity of her creative career”, winning “Best Actress in a TV Comedy” in the 2015 Golden Horn Awards for her role in sitcom, Skwizas and being recognized internationally, Mam’Mary lived her life fulfilling her calling as a gift to the arts.

Aside from being one of the best actresses in the country, she was a mother and mentor to Radio and TV personality, Somizi Mhlongo that watched his rock go in and out of hospital for the past several months. The last time we got to witness the two on television together was during Somizi & Mohale: The Union, their four-part wedding special that will forever remain on people’s lip . In the last episode of the show , Somizi and his mother had a very heartwarming moment that brought tears to many’s eyes when he said ,”Thank you” to his mother and we got to see love spark in their eyes.

Today, uMama was laid to rest and during her tribute, Somizi said, “I may lost a mother but I’ve gained a very powerful ancestor”. The nation mourns the loss of an icon , Ulale ngoxolo Mam Mary Twala Mhlongo,  you will forever live in our hearts.