The new year is off to a tragic start for South Africans, particularly for those in the entertainment industry.

South African television, theatre actor and dancer Sibusisio Radebe has passed away at the age of 37. following a battle with cancer. Family, close friends and his manager Wesley Mark Gainer, today confirmed the news of the young talent having passed away yesterday following a battle with cancer.

Many South African millennials can attest to Radebe's illustrious career.

Radebe started off his career in South African television as a presenter for X-Attitude and then moved onto the popular kid's television show known as Yo TV. He then landed his career-changing role on Backstage—one of the most-watched drama series in the country at that time which then saw him starring in culturally important shows such as Home Affairs and Gaz'lam during the early 2000s.

With a passion for dancing and theatre, which had been evident during his days on Backstage, Radebe went on to showcase his talents in several theatrical productions across the country.

According to the SowetanLIVE, fellow child star ThobiMkhwanazi and friend of Radebe, took to social media to bid him farewell saying, "To have lost both Crazy Lu and Sbu, my former X-Attitude colleagues, both in a space of two months, is absolutely heartbreak, to say the least. You may be gone but never forgotten. Heaven has gained another angel."

Here are just some of the tributes which have been pouring in on social media since the news was confirmed: