Cynthia Shange, the first Black woman to represent South Africa at the Miss World pageant during the apartheid era, has died at the age of 76.
Her family confirmed that the award-winning actress and model passed away at a hospital in KwaZulu-Natal Province after battling an illness.
Born in 1949 in Durban, Shange rose to national prominence in the early 1970s.
She made history in 1972 when she became the first Black woman to win the Miss South Africa title and later represented the country at the Miss World competition in London that same year.
In a statement released on Monday night, South Africa’s Parliament paid tribute to her life and legacy, describing her as a groundbreaking figure. “Ms Shange was more than an actress.
She was a cultural pioneer, a trailblazer, and a powerful symbol of African excellence at a time when the dignity and humanity of Black South Africans were systematically denied under apartheid.”
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The statement further noted that during apartheid, when Black South Africans were largely excluded from global recognition, Shange’s international appearance affirmed the dignity and humanity of Black women and inspired generations, particularly young Black women pursuing careers in the arts.
Also reacting, South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, alongside Deputy Minister Peace Mabe, described her as a fearless pioneer who reshaped representation in society.
“Cynthia Shange was a barrier-breaker for black people and for women at a time when both were systematically excluded from global platforms.
She stood where many were told they did not belong, and in doing so, redefined what was possible for generations to come. Her legacy is one of courage, dignity, and unapologetic excellence,” McKenzie said.
Deputy Minister Mabe added that Shange broke barriers for Black South Africans across the country and inspired young women to confidently claim their place in the world.