Acclaimed actress and Miss World legend Cynthia Shange died on Monday, April 20, at the age of 76 following a short illness. Her daughter, Nonhle Thema, confirmed the South African star's death in an Instagram post, sharing a celebration-of-life poster with a short tribute and a smiling photograph of her mother. "A graceful and compassionate soul whose presence brought warmth, dignity, and kindness to all those who knew her," it read, adding: "We honour her journey, her strength, and the love she shared so generously," she wrote.

The South African Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture also issued a statement praising Cynthia as a "veteran South African actress, model, and beauty queen… whose legacy spans decades of contribution to the country’s arts, culture and global representation". The star came to global prominence in 1972 as the first Black woman to represent South Africa at the Miss World pageant.

The racist apartheid system barred Black women from taking part in the official Miss South Africa competition. However, Black South Africans organised their own pageant, Miss Africa South, which Cynthia won and travelled to London to compete.

The situation saw two South African representatives appear that year as a white South African delegate was also sent. Cynthia placed fifth in the competition.

While she was the first Black woman to represent the nation, she was following in the footsteps of Pearl Gladys Jansen, who competed in 1970 under the apartheid "coloured" - of mixed racial origin - classification.

Following her experience in Miss World, she established herself as a film and television actress in movies such as Udeliwe, regarded as one of South Africa's first black feature films, and the historical drama Shaka Zulu.

In 2024, she was awarded the Lifetime Achiever at the KZN Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards for her contributions to acting.

South African actress Sindi Dlathu shared a moving farewell to the performer on social media. "Grace, love and gentleness… this is how I will always remember you, Ma. You carried such depth and intelligence, sharp wit and a remarkable sense of humour. Our conversations flowed so effortlessly, each one meaningful and enriching. Those are moments I will forever cherish," she wrote.

South African musician, Yvonne Chakachaka, also paid tribute in a social media post: "The most beautiful woman RIP sisi," she wrote.

Presiding Officers of Parliament, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane also chimed in. "Shange was more than an actress – she was a cultural pioneer, a trailblazer, and a powerful symbol of African excellence at a time when the dignity and humanity of Black South Africans were systematically denied under apartheid," they said.