Marietjie Bothma, the iconic SA TV personality, radio broadcaster, and comedian, has died after a long illness.
Two weeks ago, Bothma travelled from her home in Thembisa to her close friend Thabang Mochela’s home in the Vaal to “rest”, not knowing that these would be the last days they would spend together.
On Tuesday, Sauma HD Radio, where Bothma delighted thousands of listeners with her wit, issued a statement on her death.
“It is with sadness that we announce that one of our radio family presenters, Marietjie Bothma, passed on today (Monday) May 29. Lala ngoxolo Sisi Marietjie Bothma. Good night,” the statement read.
Marietjie won the hearts of the nation with her fluency in Zulu and other South African languages, when she starred in a pie commercial.
She also had roles in several of Mzansi’s most popular soapies and gave an address at the inauguration of former president Jacob Zuma.
Bothma, a former member of the notorious KwaSizabantu Mission in KwaZulu-Natal, emerged as one of the courageous ones who testified about its human rights violations.
She revealed her childhood sexual and physical abuse at the hands of her adoptive father in her evidence before the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious, and Linguistic Communities in 2020.
Tributes to Bothma poured in after news of her passing spread on social media.
Publicist Zuza Mbatha also wrote: “Ulale Ngokuthula Marietjie Bothma Intombi emhlophe yomZulu.”
Nkiyase Mondlana Mbatha posted: “Rest In Peace my friend, Marietjie Bothma #ripmarietjiebothma”.
dailyvoice@inl.co.za