Cynthia Shange, first black Miss South Africa representative, dies at 76

The actress and beauty queen, who placed fifth at Miss World in 1972, died in a KwaZulu-Natal hospital after an illness.

Cynthia Shange, the first black woman to represent South Africa at the Miss World pageant, died in the early hours of Monday at a hospital in KwaZulu-Natal at the age of 76, her family announced.¹²

Shange was crowned Miss Black South Africa in 1972 and became the first black woman to win a Miss South Africa title and represent the country internationally, before the pageant became racially inclusive in 1992.¹ She represented South Africa at Miss World in London in 1972, where she placed fifth.¹²

Her acting career began in 1975 when she starred as the lead in Udeliwe, South Africa's first black feature film, directed by Simon Sabela and co-starring Joe Mafela.¹ She later appeared in the productions Shaka Zulu and Muvhango.¹²

Shange received lifetime achievement awards from both the South African Film and Television Awards and the Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards for her contributions to the entertainment industry.² She is survived by her children, including media personality Nonhle Thema, and grandchildren.¹²

The family described Shange as a legendary figure in South African arts and culture who left an indelible mark during an era of segregated pageantry and entertainment.¹ She died after facing an illness, the family said.¹²