The family of award-winning South African television actor Menzi Ngubane have expressed their gratitude to the many fans praying and showing support for the veteran performer who has taken ill.
The family have also vehemently denied reports doing the rounds stating that he is "critically" ill.
The family said in a statement released by Sebabatso Media: “We are aware that South Africans are concerned about his health and would like to thank them for their prayers, and appeal to them to respect hospital/doctor-patient confidentiality. Menzi wishes to take this opportunity to fully recover and get back to work as soon as possible.”
The former Generations actor was also the target of a fake death news report.
FAKE NEWS????????I’VE REPORTED THIS PERSON, PLEASE HELP ME STOP THIS BARBARIC BEHAVIOR #PrayForMenziNgubane pic.twitter.com/IzJJIoHvFR
— @MenziNgubaneZA (@menzingubaneza) May 26, 2020
Ngubane’s wife, Sikie, said that her husband is receiving “family support and recuperating after doctors were concerned about his health.”
Ngubane’s family said it was concerned about the widespread reports and posts on social media regarding the famous actor’s illness.
“The family of Menzi Ngubane has expressed their desire to put all these rumours to rest especially on social media saying as a family, “We understand their concerns and support for Menzi, but as the family, we appeal to South Africans to refrain from spreading news that has not been verified and confirmed by the family. To this end, we wish to continue as the family to offer him the support he needs following his recent visit to the doctors.”
The family said Ngubane’s “visit” to the hospital has been “grossly exaggerated by newspapers and social media users”.
Sympathetic South Africans were using the hashtag #PrayForMenziNgubane after the Ilanga newspaper reported that the celebrated actor had been hospitalised and was in a critical condition.
Online publication IOL reported that’s while starring on SABC 1's "Generations", Ngubane suffered kidney failure and subsequently underwent a transplant in 2014. It is not known at this stage whether or not his current health issues are related to this.
The much-loved actor was recently announced as a cast member of Mzansi Magic's "The Queen".
We join the rest of South Africa in wishing him a speedy recovery.
African News Agency (ANA)
