Cynthia Shange, regarded as the first black woman to represent South Africa at the Miss World beauty pageant during apartheid, has died aged 76.
Her daughter Nonhle Thema announced the news “with a heavy heart” on social media, paying tribute to her mother’s “compassionate” soul. “Please keep my family in your prayers during this difficult time,” she wrote.
The former beauty queen passed away early on Monday morning in hospital following an illness, according to local media.
Thema’s Instagram post included a celebration of life poster with a short tribute and a smiling photograph of Shange. “A graceful and compassionate soul whose presence brought warmth, dignity, and kindness to all those who knew her,” it read. “We honour her journey, her strength, and the love she shared so generously.” Details of her funeral are to follow soon.
Born Cynthia Philisiwe Shange on July 27, 1949, she rose to prominence in the 1970s. At the time, black women were not allowed to compete in Miss South Africa due to apartheid and instead created parallel competitions such as Miss Africa South, which she won.
In 1972, Shange competed in Miss World in London, alongside the white Miss South Africa participant, and placed fifth. While she was the first black woman to represent South Africa at the pageant, she was not the country’s first non-white contestant. Two years earlier, Pearl Gladys Jansen had competed as Miss Africa South, sparking a row at the contest. Jansen was classified as “coloured” — of mixed racial origin — under apartheid.
After Miss World, Shange became a prominent film and television actress. Her notable works include Udeliwe, regarded as one of South Africa’s first black feature films, and the historical drama Shaka Zulu.
In 2024, she was awarded Life Time Achiever at the KZN Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards for her contribution to acting.
