The South African entertainment industry is mourning the sudden and tragic death of Busisiwe Lurayi, a talented and award-winning actress who starred in the Netflix comedy series How To Ruin Christmas. Lurayi, who played the role of Tumi Sello, a free-spirited and rebellious woman who causes chaos at her sister’s wedding, passed away at her home on Sunday, July 10, 2022. The cause of her death is still unknown, as the family awaits the results of the autopsy report.
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A Statement From The Family And The Agency
Lurayi’s death was confirmed by her family in a statement that was shared by her talent agency, Eye Media Artists, on their Instagram account. The statement read:
“We are deeply saddened to notify you of the passing of our beloved Busisiwe Lurayi. Busisiwe passed away suddenly and was pronounced dead at her residence on Sunday [July 10, 2022] by medical personnel. The reason for her death is still unknown as we await the results of the autopsy report. We humbly request that you allow us as the family to come to terms with this tragic news. We thank you for the support that has been given so far and will provide further information as soon as it has been made available.”
The agency also captioned the post with “Rest In peace @busi_lurayi.”
A Tribute From Netflix And The Fans
Netflix South Africa also expressed their condolences and paid tribute to Lurayi on their verified Instagram page. They wrote:
“One incredible light has gone out in the South African entertainment industry. We are deeply saddened by the passing of award-winning stage and screen actor Busi Lurayi. We will hold onto the laughs, the beauty and all the moments of joy she brought to us.”
The streaming giant also shared a video montage of some of Lurayi’s memorable scenes from How To Ruin Christmas, which was renewed for a third season in June. The show, which premiered in 2020, was a hit among the viewers, who enjoyed Lurayi’s hilarious and relatable performance as Tumi, a woman who tries to fix her mistakes after ruining her sister’s Christmas wedding.
Many fans also took to social media to express their shock and sadness over Lurayi’s death, and to celebrate her legacy as an actress and a person. Some of the comments were:
- “I’m so heartbroken. She was such a talented and beautiful actress. I loved her in How To Ruin Christmas. She made me laugh so much. Rest in peace, Busi.”
- “This is so devastating. She was one of my favorite actresses. She had such a bright and bubbly personality. She will be missed dearly. Condolences to her family and friends.”
- “What a loss for the entertainment industry. She was a star. She had such a versatile and captivating presence on screen. She was amazing in How To Ruin Christmas and City Ses’la. Rest in power, Busi.”
A Career Full Of Achievements And Awards
Lurayi was born in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, South Africa. She started her acting career at a young age, and appeared in various movies and TV shows. She was well known for her role as Phumzile on the SABC 1 sitcom City Ses’la and its spin-off series Ses’Top La. She also appeared in the drama series Wild at Heart, and a 2006 episode of ER, according to her IMDb page.
Lurayi won several awards for her acting skills, including the SAFTA Golden Horn Award for Best Supporting Actress in a TV Comedy in 2006, the SAFTA Golden Horn Award for Best Actress in a TV Comedy in 2011, and the same award again in 2021 for her role as Tumi in How To Ruin Christmas, according to IMDb.
Lurayi was not only a talented actress, but also a humanitarian and an activist. She was involved in various causes, such as raising awareness and funds for breast cancer, supporting women empowerment, and promoting education and literacy.
Lurayi’s death is a shocking and heartbreaking loss for the entertainment industry, her family, her friends, and her fans. She will be remembered for her talent, her beauty, her humor, and her kindness. She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.
