Nandi Nyembe: The death of 'soul of South African storytelling' sparks grief and anger

Actress Nandi Nyembe's final months were marked by money problems that threatened to overshadow her career.

Watch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersWatch LiveThe death of 'soul of South African storytelling' sparks grief and anger3 days agoShareSaveKhanyisile NgcoboBBC News in JohannesburgShareSaveMedia 24 / Gallo ImagesThe death of a much-loved star is normally followed by an outpouring of grief, but in South Africa last week's loss of 75-year-old actress Nandi Nyembe also came with an outpouring of anger.

People were distressed that in the last months of her life an obviously sick woman was reduced to appearing on videos appealing for financial help.

Sitting in a wheelchair, with thin, grey hair, wearing a loose T-shirt and fleece pyjama trousers, she said she did not like people feeling pity for her, but she needed money to cover the basics. Her biggest plea was for more work so she could support herself.

This was a far cry from her more famous screen appearances.

As the lead in some major television series over recent decades, her face was beamed into the homes of South Africans and she became a familiar weekly presence.