Television veteran’s sad end
Head injury resulted in coma
Just three days before she was set to celebrate her 52nd birthday, veteran actress Mary Makgatho died at a Pretoria hospital.
She had injured her head during a fall last month and slipped into a coma, but woke a few days later.
“She died of a head injury. She hit her head in the fall and was in a coma,” Makgatho’s casting manager Carlynn de Waal-Smit said.
Makgatho’s sister Rose confirmed the actress was rushed to a Joburg hospital on July 6 after she fell at her home.
She was transferred to Dr George Mukhari Hospital in GaRankuwa four days later where she was placed in high care.
Rose said: “We got a call at 2am this morning (yesterday) to say that she had died. We rushed to the hospital as soon as we could. We knew that she was in hospital and in high care, but we didn’t expect this. We are all devastated and in shock.”
Makgatho appeared in the SABC2 Tswana sitcom Ga Re Dumele that ended its season on Sunday.
Producer and creator of Ga Re Dumele Martin Koboekae said the fifth season of the show ended on a bad note.
He said he visited Makgatho together with Motshabi Tyelele and Peter Mashigo three times in hospital, and the last time she was even making jokes. Koboekae said since the show was set to film its next season, they had hoped that she would be part of it.
“It is a sad moment for the industry and us as the production.
“Though she was in hospital, we never expected this.”
He said they received a call last week that her situation had worsened and were planning to visit her today.
“She was so easy to direct and had a skill to interpret the script. She has been part of the show since its inception, and we will miss her,” he said.
Rose said she would remember her sister for her bright smile and contagious laugh.
“She was always happy and would always put a smile on our face. We are very sad.”
Makgatho’s close friends and colleagues paid tribute.
Her close friend Germinah Nkadimeng shared a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, which read: “So sad to lose one of my best friends, mamogolo wa bana baka Mary Makgatho. I am torn apart. You will be missed and [it’s] sad [news] to performing arts sector. Rest in peace.”
Makgatho was famous for her roles in Yizo Yizo, Emzini Wezinsizwa, Rhythm City, Generations and eKasi: Our Stories.