JOHANNESBURG – The South African comedy scene is mourning the loss of a beloved figure, Mfundisi Ntshebe, known for his hilarious fictional comic music and his infectious laughter. The comedian, whose real name was Philani Mabanga, passed away on Friday, 13 September, at his home in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni. He was 54.
Mfundisi, as he was affectionately known, was a household name, renowned for his signature catchphrase, "HOLLY oxygen," which he often used during his comedic routines. He was also known for his distinctive beard and his unique brand of humour that often poked fun at church life and funerals.
His comic music albums, starting with "Inkonzo kaNtshebe Vol 1" and continuing through to "Vol 6", entertained audiences across the country. He also collaborated with top musicians, including the late legendary maskandi musician Bhekumuzi Luthuli.
Mfundisi's sudden passing has left a void in the South African comedy scene. His sister, Simbizini Maphanga, revealed that he complained of a headache shortly before his death.
"He asked for headache tablets and water, and after that, he died in his house," she said.
"As his family, we don’t know what happened because he was okay, but out of the blue, he complained about the headache. He sent someone to the nearest shop to buy headache tablets. After he drank it, we thought he was resting to deal with the headache pain, only to find out that he was dead. We didn’t have a chance to rush him to the hospital."
Mfundisi's passing has left a void not just in the hearts of his fans, but also among his fellow comedians. Zazi Nxele, organiser of the 100% Zulu Comedy group, shared his grief.
"I started to listen to his humour in the early 2000s when I used to listen to his fictional comic music, but later, I realised I should engage him to feature him in stand-up comedy. He respected me, and he came to my shows in Pietermaritzburg and made people laugh out of their lungs. It was easy to work with him. It hurts that he is no more because comedians like him are few," said Zazi Nxele.
Award-winning comedian King Nuba also expressed his sadness, saying, "I grew up listening to him, and he inspired me that you can start new things because he started his own thing about making comics about religion. I met him in March, and we were planning to make our short comic videos with another comedian, Dlungelwa."
Mfundisi's funeral is scheduled for Saturday, 21 September, in Katlehong, with the specific location and cemetery to be confirmed. His legacy as a comedian who brought laughter to countless South Africans will live on, and his absence will be deeply felt by those who knew him and loved his work.
