Shaka Ilembe and Yizo Yizo co-creator Teboho Mahlatsi passes away

Teboho Mahlatsi has been instrumental in local TV and film production. Source: Bomb Productions.

“It is with the saddest regret that we announce the untimely passing of filmmaker and producer - Teboho Moseling Mahlatsi, on the 3 July 2023. In lieu of personal condolences, the family kindly requests prayers and that they be given privacy to mourn and come to terms with the tragic loss. Further details will be communicated in due time,” said the family in a statement.

Mahlatsi is known for producing Yizo Yizo which aired from 1999 to 2004. The show platformed stars such as Dumisani Dlamini, Meshack Mavuso and Ernest Msibi, and recently started streaming on Netflix, giving it a global platform. Currently his team is being lauded for their work on historical drama Shaka Ilembe.

“This is a legacy project and has deep meaning to the team who have been telling stories of every day South African heroes and heroines for the past 21 years," Mahlatsi said about the project in 2018.

He completed film school at the Africa Cultural Centre in 1993. In 1999 his debut short film, Portrait of a young man drowning won the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

Mahlatsi is also a giant of advertising, through his role as company director of The Bomb Shelter Film Company where he has helmed the direction of many award winning TV commercials.

ON BEHALF OF THE MAHLATSI FAMILY

It is with the saddest regret that we announce the untimely passing of Filmmaker & Producer - Teboho Moseling Mahlatsi, on the 3rd of July 2023.
In lieu of personal condolences, the family kindly requests prayers & that they be given privacy to… pic.twitter.com/vMQWbemGGk
— DavidKau (@davidkau1) July 3, 2023

Through his role at The Bomb Shelter Film Company, he was known for creating shows with strong social issue storylines such as Zone 14, Gaz’Lam’, and For Love and Broken Bones.

Department of sport, arts and culture Minister Zizi Kodwa sent out their condolences.

"Teboho Mahlatsi's work highlighted the multidimensional nature of life in democratic SA. He showed the beauty and vulnerabilities that come with the mixture of cultures in South African life. His works such as Yizo Yizo, Zone-14 and the many advertisements and films, gave an authentic, hard-hitting, yet relatable account of South African communities," he said.

Here are some of the social media tributes:

Thank you#tebohomahlatsi for the lessons, the brilliance and the privilege of co-creating with you. The word “legend” gets thrown around too easily these days but you sir, we’re a true legend. I’m sad that the world has lost you. I’m sad that I have lost you as an inspiration RIP

— AHMED TILLY (@AhmedTilly) July 3, 2023

This is SO Unfortunate. After years of not doing media interviews he agreed to be a guest on our “in the spotlight” Friday feature @Powerfm987 late in 2022. It was MAGIC. I’m grateful that he saw value in chatting to us. His was an incredible contribution to TV �� #tebohomahlatsi https://t.co/PQt5hkK1O7

— Lerato Mbele (@mbele_lnb) July 3, 2023