Cynthia Shange, the first black woman to represent South Africa at Miss World during apartheid, has died at the age of 76.
The multi-award-winning actress and model passed away at a hospital in KwaZulu-Natal Province following an illness, her family confirmed.
Born in 1949 in Durban, Shange rose to prominence in the early 1970s when she became the first black woman to win a Miss South Africa title in 1972 and went on to represent the country at the 1972 Miss World pageant in London.
In a statement issued late on Monday, South Africa’s Parliament paid tribute to Shange, saying that “Ms. 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.”
Parliament added that at the height of apartheid when black people were excluded from mainstream recognition, Shange’s presence on the global stage affirmed the dignity and humanity of black women, and that her career inspired generations, particularly young black women in the arts.
In a separate statement, South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie and his deputy, Peace Mabe, described Shange as a fearless pioneer who transformed the landscape of representation.
“Cynthia Shange was a barrier-breaker for black people and for women at a time when both were systematically excluded from global platforms.
“ She stood where many were told they did not belong, and in doing so, redefined what was possible for generations to come. Her legacy is one of courage, dignity, and unapologetic excellence,” said McKenzie.
Mabe said Shange had broken barriers for black South Africans across the country, inspiring young women to claim their space in the world.
