Matwetwe, the South African comedy that has taken cinemas by storm, has suffered a heavy blow. One of the film's lead actors, Sibusiso Khwinana, who plays the role of the shy botany-whizz Lefa, has passed away.

Khwinana was stabbed to death in an attempted robbery where the perpetrator sought to steal the young man's cellphone - a senseless crime. Tributes have since been pouring in on social media. The film's producers, DJ Black Coffee and comedian and actor Kagiso Lediga, have since confirmed Khwinana's passing away.

South Africans are shocked and understandably so. Both Khwinana and his co-star Tebatso Mashishi, who plays the role of the extroverted and street-smart Papi, were in the midst of promoting the film on television, radio and social media.

Khwinana, for whom Matwetwe was his first major debut role, was a promising talent and it is with tremendous sadness and disbelief that we bid him farewell at such a young age.

Rest in power young king.

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