‘The Kingdom’ actor Thapelo Maropefela dies aged 24

Thapelo Maropefela – known as Karabo on SABC1’s drama series The Kingdom – passed away hours before he would have celebrated his birthday.

RIP Thapelo Maropefela

‘We are hurt, empty‘

The 24-year-old actor passed away on Sunday, 24 October, as confirmed by his younger sister Kamogelo Maropefela. Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Kamogelo said:

We are hurt. Cut deep. Empty.

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“Friends and family, unfortunately, my little brother, Thapelo Maropefela, left us in the early hours of today. Please give my family and I some space to process and arrange everything.”

Cause of death not known

In an Instagram post, Kamogelo said Thapelo’s story “was not meant to end now. Not on the eve of your 25th birthday”. She added:

We think of you today, and forever.

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“We will try to celebrate you in our mourning. […] So difficult for me to say ‘rest easy’, because it wasn’t your time to rest yet!.”

The cause of death is yet to be announced.

Fans respond

Fans expressed their sadness and condolences on social media, with one netizen saying The Kingdom star “devoted himself to his craft, friends and family”.

“I was fortunate enough to have met him through film, but we became brothers outside of any work capacity.”

Tebogo Malebogo said his optimism and smile “were infectious, and he inspired me in ways he’ll never know. A titan. A true talent”.

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