Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Z Pallo Jordan
9 May 2007
It is with deep sorrow a profound sense of shock that we have learnt of the
passing on of one of the countryâs rising stars, Lindiwe Chibi who died of
pneumonia at Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital on Wednesday, 9 May 2007.
The Ministry of Arts and Culture expresses its heartfelt condolences to her
family, relatives and friends at the passing of one of the most promising young
artists who used her talent not only to mirror the contemporary African
experience but also to nourish the soul of the nation.
South Africa is the poorer for her death, which occurs at the height of her
youthful career when everyone was convinced that she was destined to grow into
a phenomenal African artist.
We hope and pray that her family, relatives, friends and fans throughout the
world will have the strength to let his spirit rest in peace.
During this first decade of the 21st Century Chibi was a living example of a
resilient young person who had battled and overcome the bleak township
circumstances of Soweto and staked a claim in the world of the arts.
She epitomised the young and gifted who had the ability and talent to
transcend their environment and become widely acknowledged as a soul-stirring
actress who put her soul into her stage characters.
Few who have seen her on stage will dispute that she had presence that left
an indelible impression.
Chibi was widely acknowledged and recognised as a premier stage actress who
was intuitively connected to the characters she played.
Her acting career reached its high point when she was cast to play the
character of "Doobsie" in the television soap opera, Muvhango. That role made
her a household name and a part of every familyâs television experience.
Very early in her career, Chibi's impressive acting skills catapulted her
into the limelight in Yael Farber's "MoLoRo", a striking adaptation of the
Greek tragedy, "Oresteia Trilogy" by Aeschylus to portray the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission.
In hindsight this marked the turning point in her career as she won wide
recognition an extremely talented artist.
Her untimely death at a time when she still had a lot to offer the theatre
and contribute to our cultural heritage is a monumental loss to the country and
our artistic community. But there is not enough darkness in the world to
extinguish her memory and legacy.
May she rest in peace!
For further information call:
Sandile Memela, Spokesperson in the Ministry of Arts and Culture at
Cell: 082 800 3750
Premi Appalraju, Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 375 2939
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
9 May 2007
Source: Department of Arts and Culture (http://www.dac.gov.za)
