Veteran South African actress Themsie Times , who played Maria Zibula on 7de Laan, has passed away at the age of 70.
Themsie Times dies: What’s the cause of death?
As reported by TshisaLive, news of Times’ passing was first reported by PR guru Kayleen Bessit who, in a statement, said:
“We are saddened by the news and a statement will be issued collectively with the SABC.”
Moreover, Bessit, who announced the news before Times’ family, revealed the 70-year-old lost her life on Thursday, albeit the cause of death is still unknown at this time.
The PR guru noted that SABC would release a formal statement soon.
Times biography: Here’s what we know
Themsie Times was born in Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth), on 22 September 1949.
According to information listed on her Wikipedia page, Times was the youngest of seven siblings. Her earliest work as an actress can be traced back to the 1986 adventure film Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold where Times is listed in the cast as a nurse.
Her next box office listing would come in 1997 when she appeared in Darrell Roodt’s Dangerous Ground as a hooker. The thriller starred US actor Ice Cube and Elizabeth Hurley.
Perhaps, Times’ most prominent role came when she joined 7de Laan in 2003 to play Maria, the kind-hearted and money-loving domestic helper for Hilda (Annelisa Weiland) and Oubaas (Pierre van Pletzen).
Times left the show in 2016 but according to Bessit, “she’s always been an integral part of the show.”
Times is survived by three children and six grandchildren.
