Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.
Some of the local and international celebrities, from actors to sportsmen, who died between January and June this year.
Those who died between July and December will feature in next week’s joint edition with the Sunday Tribune.
Local
Patrick Molefe Shai: Veteran actor and director Patrick Shai was born on December 9, 1956, in Sophiatown. He was known for Hearts & Minds, Cry, the Beloved Country alongside James Earl Jones, and Ashes to Ashes. He was a founder and director of Khuluma Ndoda which is a Men’s Social Movement against all types of gender-based violence. He is survived by his wife and two children. He died on January 22 by suicide in Dobsonville.
Sandile ‘DJ Citi Lyts’ Mkhize: The younger brother of late hip hop star Linda “Pro Kid” Mkhize and was also well-known for his hit songs such as Washa Washa and Vurra. He was shot dead in Soweto on February 14.
Riky Rick: South African rapper, singer and producer Rikhado Muziwendlovu “Riky Rick” Makhado was born on July 20, 1987, and died on February 23. The Boss Zonke hitmaker founded record label Cotton Club Records and was a member of Boyz N Bucks.
Boitumelo Athiel Mooi: Boitumelo “DJ Dimplez” Mooi was a hip-hop award winning artist known for many hits including his contributions on Vacation with Da L.E.Z and Anatii and Amantombazane with Riky Rick. He suffered a brain haemorrhage on March 6.
Nomakula Kuli Roberts: Born on December 16, 1972, Kuli Roberts was a fashion and beauty journalist, TV presenter, author and actress. She hosted the SABC2 reality TV show What Not To Wear and was a presenter and commentator on SABC3's daily talk show Trending SA. She died on February 9 at the age of 49.
International
Sidney Poitier: Poitier won an Academy award for best actor for Lilies of the Field in 1964 and an honorary award presented in 2001.The legendary actor and activist died on January 7 at the age of 94.
Bob Saget: The Fuller House star and comedian died at the age of 65 on January 9 in a hotel room while on a stand-up comedy tour. Saget played Danny Tanner on the ABC sitcom Full House, and reprised the role for its Netflix sequel Fuller House.
Clint Arlis: Clint Arlis, who died at the age of 34, stole many hearts in the American reality dating show of Kaitlyn Bristowe’s season of The Bachelorette. He was eliminated after three weeks on the 11th season of The Bachelorette.
André Leon Talley: The visionary former editor-at-large of Vogue magazine died on January18 at the age of 73. Talley the magazine’s fashion news director from 1983 to 1987, its first African-American male creative director from 1988 to 1995, and then its editor-at-large from 1998 to 2013.
Kathryn Kates: Kathryn Kates died on January 22 following a battle with lung cancer, representatives for Headline Talent Agency confirmed to NBC. The actress, who appeared on shows like Orange Is the New Black and Seinfeld at the age of 73.
Meat Loaf: Michael Lee “Meat Loaf” Aday was an American rock singer and actor. He was known for hit songs such as “I Would Do Anything for Love” and “Bat Out of Hell”. The theatrical rock legend died at the age of 74.
Ivan Reitman: Reitman was known for his directing in 1984 hit Ghostbusters and 1989 sequel. He was 75 years old when died in his sleep at his home in Montecito, California, on February 12.
John Stahl: The Scottish actor played Richard Karstark on seasons two and three of Game of Thrones. A classically trained thespian, Stahl also acted in many theatrical productions and had stints at the Royal Shakespeare Company and at the National Theatre. He died aged 68 on March 5.
Jim Hartz: Jim Hartz, who hosted the Today show with Barbara Walters in the mid-1970s, died on April 17 in Fairfax County, Virginia. He was 82 and died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He joined Today at the age of 34 and later WNBC covering local stories.
Kelly Meafua: Meafua was a Samoan rugby union player. His position of choice was flanker. He died on May 7 after falling into the Tarn river in southern France, his club team confirmed.
Bruce Macvittie: Macvittie is known for roles in television shows such as The Sopranos and Law & Order. He died on May 7 in Manhattan at the age 65.
Alec John Such: Bon Jovi’s original bassist died at the age of 70. He was best known as a founding member of Bon Jovi, and was their bass player from 1983 to 1994 on their first five albums. The group announced the death of their former band member on Instagram on June 5.
Philip Baker Hall: The actor’s career spanned more than 50 years. He starred in over 100 TV appearances including Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Modern Family and movies such as Magnolia and Boogie Nights. He died on June 12 at the age of 90.
The Independent on Saturday