Veteran actor fights for life in hospital
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IT’S often said that once you are out of sight, you are out of mind and this holds true for oncepopular actor Roland Mqwebu of the famous situation comedy
. The veteran small screen and film actor, better known as Mkhize in the sitcom, is fighting for his life at eThekwini Hospital and Heart Centre in Durban after he was knocked down by a string of illnesses, including kidney failure and bowel obstruction.
According to the actor’s daughter Laurentia Mqwebu, her father has been suffering from kidney failure for the past three years and was undergoing dialysis.
But five weeks ago, my dad had stomach complications and was diagnosed with bowel obstruction for which he underwent a successful operation procedure five weeks ago, she said.
He experienced some complications and landed in ICU last Saturday. We hope and pray as the family that he pulls through.”
Mqwebu s distressed wife, Mam’ Pinky, said that her husband was a fighter and as a family they believed he would recover soon and be with her and kids.
As a family we initially kept everything under a veil of secrecy in line with Baba (Mqwebu) s wishes. However, since he is a people s person, it has been difficult not to let the people who love and adore him know,” said Mam’ Pinky.
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Mqwebu, popularly known as the strict and orderly hostel inmate Mkhize or Khabazela in the much-liked SABC 1’s series, has had his friends, fellow actors and actresses lost for words when told about his plight.
The four main characters, Mkhize, Magubane, Mofokeng and Chirwali are room mates at No 8, the most controversial and popular room at the hostel and whose residents always found themselves breaking the law and at loggerheads with authorities and security guards.
Shadrack Ngema, one of his colleagues and fellow actor in the sitcom, said he suspected something was amiss when Mqwebu no longer answered his phone. As a result they were not longer in contact.
He has been a private person of late. I’ve not seen nor spoken to him for years. I’m truly surprised to hear that he has been sick for some time, even his sons have not contacted me although we are staying in Durban together, said Ngema.
Fellow actress Lillian Dube said the last time she saw Mqwebu was by coincidence at the Durban film festival’s awards function in 2013. We spoke briefly. We know each other as actors but I never worked with him in any production.”
Augustine Shothole, who played the small character of Pitros in the comedy, was also in the dark about his colleague’s sickness.
It’s news to me that Ntate Roland is in hospital. I’m in Limpopo and I don’t know anything.
TV and film producer and director Neo Matsunyane said although he never got the chance to work with Mqwebu, he was involved in the last season of the comedy series when actor Siyabonga Twala played the role of Mkhize’s son.
He is one of the rare and experienced actors I would have loved to work with,” said Matsunyane.
Mqwebu is also a singer and musician after collaborating with Phuzekhemisi on the song Ekhaya Ngonyawo.
He also starred as King Shaka’s friend Ngomane in the 1980s classic series about the legendary Zulu king. In local movies he starred in
and A man of many talents, Maqwebu is also a director and motivational speaker and features in several international productions as an actor and director.
In 2008, eThekwini Municipality honoured Mqwebu with an award, recognising him as an entertainer who put the city and province of KwaZulu-Natal on the arts map.
mtshazox@sundayworld.co.za