‘7de Laan’ actress Maria has died

VETERAN actress Themsie Times, popular for her role as Maria Zibula on ‘7de Laan’, has died.

‘7de Laan’ publicity manager Kayleen Bessit confirmed the news to SowetanLIVE’s sister publication TshisaLIVE on Friday, saying Times died on Thursday.

“It is unfortunately true. As far as I understand, she passed. An official statement would soon follow,” the publicist said.

The 70-year-old played Maria for 13 years before leaving the show in 2016.

In ‘7de Laan’, Maria was known as a kind-hearted, straight-talking but money-loving domestic helper for Hilda (Annelisa Weiland) and Oubaas (Pierre van Pletzen), who kept the couple’s flat clean and helped them maintain the peace many times.

Even though she was most popular as Maria, Times also featured in other big productions, including the role Ma Jordan in the first season of ‘Yizo Yizo’ and appearances in films such including ‘Cry, the Beloved Country’ and ‘Beat the Drum’.

The actress was a mother of three and a grandmother of six, and lived in Johannesburg with two of her grandchildren.

Tributes worldwide have started trickling in on social media.

Singer, songwriter, actress and poet, Elize Ehlers said Times’ death is a huge loss to the industry. “Anytime a well-experienced and well-loved actress or actor passes on, a library of knowledge disappears with them. It is a tragedy. This is a big loss for Africa. My deepest condolences to her family and screen family,” Ehlers said.

Award-winning artist and actor Naftalie Shigwedha Amukwelele, aka D-Naff, said Times will always be remembered for her unique talent.

“The movie industry has just lost a jewel. Every character she portrayed was always rich in discipline. She was natural and one would think she was not following the script,” Amukwelele said.

Musician Mbaraka Sikomba, also known as Tashen, said her death really has brought a dark cloud to the African acting industry. “I remember her most when she featured in the season of ‘Yizo Yizo’, where she portrayed the role Ma Jordan. I really loved how she played her role in that movie. It is sad because we have lost a legend, sister and a mother. She was a big character who motivated others and was educative. May her soul rest in peace,” Sikomba said.

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