Christopher Kubheka
Christopher Kubheka | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jabu Christopher Kubheka 1969 |
| Died | 12 June 2017 (aged 48) Soshanguve, South Africa |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, Model |
| Years active | 1989–2016 |
| Spouse | Cynthia Khumalo (2010-2017) |
| Children | 24 |
Jabu Christopher Kubheka (1969 – 12 June 2017), was a South African actor and model.[1] He is best known for the roles in the television serials such as; Yizo Yizo, Zone 14 and Vat 'n Sit.[2]
Personal life[edit]
He was married to Cynthia Khumalo since 2010.[3] The couple had more than ten children including Khanyisile Tshabalala. However, during his Memorial Service, her wife expressed that he fathered 24 children, where 10 more kids were introduced on that day.[4]
He died on 12 June 2017 at the age of 48 after committing suicide by hanging in his home at Soshanguve, Pretoria.[5][6] His funeral service was postponed due to a "massive" backlog in the Gauteng provincial forensic services.[7] In his suicide note, he explained the reason behind his suicide as his wife's secret relationship.[8]
Career[edit]
He started acting career in Soweto in Positive Creative Arts in Zola in late 1980s.[3] In 1991, he made film debut with the role "Xabo" in the film Crazy Safari directed by Billy Chan. In 1999, Kubheka joined with the season one of SABC1 drama serial Yizo Yizo. In the serial, he played the role as "Gunman" for three seasons with popularity until 2004.[9] Then in 2005, he joined with the SABC1 drama series Zone 14 and played the supportive role of "Bazooka Khumba". His role became very popular among the public, where he continued to play the role for four seasons until 2011.[10]
In 2014, he made the supportive role "Skhumba", in the eKasi+ sitcom Van 'n Sit.[11] Other than that, he made guest roles in the soapies and comedies such as Jacob's Cross, Zabalaza, A Place Called Home, Generations, Abo Mzala, and Ses'Top La.[10] In 2016, he appeared in the SABC2 telenovela Keeping Score with the role "Smokes". Later in the year, he made his final television appearance with the role "Edison" in the season two of SABC1 comedy serial Thandeka's Diary.[12] Few days before his death, he was auditioned for a role on Mzansi Magic drama series Ring of Lies.[13]
Apart from that, he also had performed with a group called Team Four. The group included Innocent "Bobo" Masuku and Dumisani "Stix" Khumalo. He also announced about his intentions to release an album under Kalawa Jazmee.[14]
Filmography[edit]
| Year | Film | Role | Genre | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Crazy Safari | Xabo | Film | |
| 1999 | Yizo Yizo | Gunman | TV series | |
| 2001 | The Long Run | Johannes | Film | [15] |
| 2005 | Zone 14 | Bazooka Khumba | TV series | |
| 2006 | A Place Called Home | Guest role | TV series | |
| 2007 | Jacob's Cross | Assassin 1 | TV series | |
| 2013 | Generations | Guest role | TV series | |
| 2013 | Zabalaza | Phathu | TV series | |
| 2014 | Vat 'n Sit | Skhumba | TV series | |
| 2014 | Ses'Top La | Guest role | TV series | |
| 2015 | Abo Mzala | Crazy | TV series | |
| 2015 | Gold Diggers | Scar | TV series | |
| 2016 | Keeping Score | Smokes | TV series | |
| 2016 | Thandeka's Diary | Edison | TV series |
References[edit]
- ^ Langa, Phumlani S. "Tribute: Gunman, the selfless". News24. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Tabalia, Jedidah (19 November 2018). "A list of South African celebrities who died in 2017 and 2018". Briefly. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ a b Mueni, Priscillah (6 May 2019). "Why did Chris Kubheka commit suicide?". Briefly. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Gunman's Wife In Shock After Finding Out That He Fathered 24 Children". Youth Village. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Ferreira, Thinus. "Yizo Yizo actor dies". Channel. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Mzansi pays tribute to Yizo Yizo star Christopher Kubheka". Channel. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ News24, James de Villiers. "Yizo Yizo star's funeral postponed due to Gauteng mortuary backlog". News24. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Gunman's 'suicide note' explains why he took his own life". The Citizen. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Year in Review: Suicide robbed Mzansi of actor Jabu 'Gunman' Kubheka". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Christopher Kubheka: TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Yizo Yizo's Christopher Kubheka dies - LNN". Vaalweekblad. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "SA Celebrities Pay Tribute To Yizo Yizo Star Jabu Christopher Kubheka". Youth Village. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "'He signed off with a big smile' - Inside Gunman's last audition". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Yizo Yizo star Christopher Kubheka aka Gunman dies at home". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Christopher Kubheka". BFI. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.