Local actor and bodybuilder Bafana Manake dies
Bafana is known for his role in Isibaya as a bodyguard for the Zungu family.
KwaThema – The local sporting fraternity is reeling from the death of bodybuilder and actor Bafana Manake who died on Friday afternoon.
Bafana had been sick and in and out of hospital since August 30.
He was known for his big heart, love for his community and developing young people in sports.
He started his acting career in 2015 and had been cast on local productions which include Isibaya as a bodyguard for the Zungu family, Zabalaza, Generations, Ashes to Ashes, It’s Complicated, Muvhango, Rhythm City and recently was seen on Number Number.
He has also made appearances in movies, he starred as a bodyguard on For Love and Broken Bones, and as a driver for Goven Mbeki in Mandela’s Gun.
He has played a big role in local sporting codes, especially in bodybuilding.
Last year he was elected a member of the KwaThema Sports Confederation and also served as a member of the Region E Executive Committee.
He was the founder of Green Apple Gym in Highland Section in KwaThema.
Messages of condolences are pouring in on social media from friends and loved ones.
His fiancé, Rachel Kgapola, says she was devastated when she received news of his death from the hospital on Friday afternoon.
“We had spoken that morning and he requested that I bring him his favorite juice.
“He promised me that he was feeling better and that the medication was starting to work.
“I had hope that he was going to walk out of the hospital alive,” she adds.
Friend Thulani Simelane says he worked with Bafana before he resigned and channelled the money that he saved into his passion for bodybuilding.
“He was passionate about the well-being of young people, he would go to schools to give motivational talks and encourage young people to stay away from drugs and criminal activities.
“Through the health fun run/walks and gym, he encouraged residents to lead a healthy lifestyle,” he says.
President of KwaThema Sports Confederation Innocent Mayoyo says the community at large has suffered a loss.
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“Bafana was passionate about the development of sports in the area and gave his all to ensure that young people in this community were involved in sport.”
Innocent urged people in sports to wear their sporting colours during his send-off on Saturday.
Bafana is survived by his fiancé, daughter, two sisters, two brothers, two nieces and nephews.
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He will be laid to rest on Saturday, the memorial service will be held at KwaThema Community Hall from 8am till 10am.
The cortège then will leave for Vlakfontein Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest.
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