Nandi Nyembe

Nandi Nyembe (19 January 1950 – 23 August 2025) was a South African actress known for her roles in the sports drama Zone 14, and Soul City.

Early life

Nyembe was born in Kliptown, Johannesburg on 19 January 1950. She also stayed in various places, like Botswana and East London, when she was young. Nyembe has shared how she used to always be cast as a maid in auditions because of the apartheid regime. In an interview with Bona Magazine she said:

Career

Nyembe is known for playing Nandi Sibiya from 1 until 2012 on Zone 14. She also portrayed the character of Lily on SABC 1's hit teen-drama Yizo Yizo (2001–2004), and the leading character in the SABC 1 sitcom Izoso Connexion (2006–2007). She has acted in feature films, including Reasonable Man (1999), Saturday Night at the Palace (1987) and Yesterday (2004).

In 2007, she appeared in the drama series Jacob's Cross, playing the role of Thembe Makhubu. In addition, Nyembe has appeared as a guest in episodes of dozens of primetime series including Soul Buddyz, Hillside, Erfsondes, 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls and a guest starring role in The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency.

2014–2025

In 2006, she also starred in an episode of SABC1 drama series Sticks and Stones, Nyembe has also been a cast member on several television shows, including Mzansi Magic's Isithunzi, Isibaya and The Road for two seasons. In 2016, she was cast in the e.tv drama series Ashes to Ashes. In 2017, Nyembe joined the cast of Mzansi Magic Isithembiso Dolly.

In September 2021, the character she played in the television series House of Zwide was killed off. This led to a string of false reports online that Nyembe had died in real life, and prompted friends to get in touch with her in a panicked state.

Personal life and death

Nyembe had a daughter. Nyembe practiced as a sangoma (Medium/psychic), she had her sangoma initiation when she was only 17. Before knowing she was a sangoma she suffered a serious illness, as a result of being able to connect with the spirits of people who died on the road. In addition she told Time Lives Magazine about the illness.

Nyembe's daughter also practiced as a sangoma, though she has stopped.

Nandi Nyembe died on 23 August 2025, at the age of 75. She died without receiving fund that was raised for her.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes 1987 Saturday Night at the Palace Miriam 1994 A Reasonable Man (1999) Rachel Ndlovu 2004 Yesterday Sangoma

Television

Year Title Role Episodes Notes 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003 Soul City Sister Lizzie 2001–2004 Yizo Yizo Lily 2002 Gaz'lam Lerato's Mother 2005–2012 Zone 14 Nandi Sibiya 2006–2007 Izoso Connexion 2007, 2011–2012 Jacob's Cross Thembi Makhubu 2008 Hillside. Ntshebo Maloka 2009 The Coconuts Mrs Hlatshwayo 2014 Sticks and Stones Patience 2011 Soul Buddyz. Gogo 2014 Ses'Top La Guest 2015–2017 Ashes to Ashes. Ma' Mazibuko 2015–2016 The Road Gogo 2016–2017 Is'thunzi. Nolwazi 2013–2019 Isibaya. Gog' Mkhithi

Year Award Category Work Result 2001 South African Film and Television Awards Best Supporting Actress – TV Soap/Telenovela Ashes to Ashes