Sizwe Sibiya
Loved and Lost: Busisiwe Lurayi
A “prolific actor”. A “talented performer”.
That is how the late stage and screen actress Busisiwe Lurayi is being unanimously described by colleagues and fans.
Having come into the spotlight through a comedy sitcom called City Ses’la as Phumzile in 2005, Busisiwe, or simply ‘Busi’, brought laughter into countless Mzansi homes.
For millions, City Ses’la was a moment of joy and fun before the inevitable gloom of the 7.30 news on SABC. The show was enjoyed by people of all ages from 2005 until 2006, when it stopped airing. By that time, Lurayi had already won her the South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) in 2006 for Best Supporting Actress in a TV Comedy.
As Phumzile, Lurayi won another Best Supporting Actress in a TV Comedy at the 2011 SAFTAs, before starring on a spin-off of the sitcom called Ses’Top La in 2012, playing the same character.
But before that, she had made a name for herself as a villain lawyer called Winnie Molepo on the law drama Sokhulu and Partners.
The drama proved she was more than just a comedienne on the screen, as the black gown fitted her perfectly as a top Johannesburg attorney at the Sokhulu and Partners law firm.
Hardworking and talented, Lurayi also starred on ITV’s Wild at Heart drama series, where she played Thandi, a homeschool teacher for a British family that had just moved into a Mzansi game reserve from the United Kingdom.
After her comedy roles she played a few notable roles on television shows like E.R,
Generations, S.I.E.S, Lockdown, Vutha and Home Affairs. She even presented an M-Net game show called Million Rand Money Drop in 2013.
But her most notable role will forever be the character Boitumelo Sello she played on the 2020 Netflix series called How To Ruin Christmas.
Boitumelo, also known as Tumi in the series, is a prodigal daughter that goes home for the holidays and manages to ruin her sister’s wedding plans. She has to make everything right before it’s too late.
Starring alongside Thando Thabethe who plays Tumi’s sister Beauty, Lurayi took home the award for Best Actress at the 2021 SAFTAs for her role.
On Monday 11 July, Mzansi woke up to the sad news of the sudden passing of the star actress, who died aged 35.
“We are deeply saddened to notify you of the passing of our beloved Busisiwe Lurayi,” read the statement from her family, which was shared by her management Eye Media on Instagram.
“Busisiwe passed away suddenly and was pronounced dead at her residence on Sunday
10.07.2022 by medical personnel,” continued the statement.
The reason behind her death is still unknown as her family revealed on the statement they are still waiting for the autopsy report.
Despite spending most of her life on stage and in front of the camera, very little is known about Lurayi’s personal life.
“An incredible light has gone out in the South African entertainment industry,” wrote Netflix South Africa on Instagram.
“She will be remembered for her talent and commitment to the craft,” added the SABC on Twitter.
“We humbly request that you allow us as the family to come to terms with this tragic news. We thank you for the support that has been given so far and will provide further information as soon as it is made available,” concluded the Lurayi family statement on Monday.
