South Africans woke up to the news that veteran actress Candy Moloi has passed away at the age of 67. The SAFTA-winning actress had been battling cancer and was last at a hospital in Pretoria. The South African film and television industry has indeed lost an exceptional performer and one whose contributions to the industry are indelible.

Spokesperson for the family, Nthabiseng Moloi, reportedly spoke to TshisaLIVE saying:

"The Moloi and Ramunenyiwa families of renowned actor, radio producer and businesswoman Cecilia "Candy" Mukondeleli Moloi, sadly confirm her passing on the afternoon of July 28 2020 at a hospital in Pretoria. Her death follows a long battle with cancer. Candy celebrated her 67th birthday on February 10. [She] meant everything to us. She was larger than life. People fondly called her Makhadzi. She was Makhadzi for all of us. The wound is still fresh and everyone is trying to make sense of it."

Largely known for her role as Vho-Makhadzi on the popular Tshivenda soapie Muvhango, Moloiendeared herself to South Africans and managed to successfully dispel the common tribalistic perceptions around productions whose primary languages are not Zulu, Xhosa or Sotho. Back in 2009, Moloi won "Best Supporting Actress in a Soapie" at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) for her same role in Muvhango. Moloi also starred in several other local productions including Thola, Shakespeare in Mzansi and Death of a Queen.

The likes of Thandy Matlaila, Tim Modise, Rami Chuene and Mmusi Maimane have all since paid tribute to the late Moloi. Take a look at some of the tributes on social media for Moloi: