South African actress Nonhle Thema honors late mother Cynthia Shange on her 77th birthday

Actress Nonhle Thema posted an Instagram tribute on 27 July, the day her mother Cynthia Shange would have turned 77. She shared a nostalgic black‑and‑white photo of herself as a child on her mother’s lap, accompanied by a brief message celebrating her mother’s legacy and expressing love.

Cynthia Shange, who died on 20 April in KwaZulu‑Natal, was a pioneering beauty queen who became the first Black South African to represent the country at Miss World in 1972 after winning the Miss Natal title. She was also a respected actress and cultural icon. The tribute highlighted her achievements and the deep bond with her daughter, drawing thousands of supportive comments from fans and fellow South Africans.

Nonhle’s post underscores the continued public admiration for Shange’s contributions to South Africa’s entertainment and pageantry history, while providing a personal glimpse into their family’s grief and remembrance.