This week in celebrity news: Mzansi mourns DJ Warras, Lasizwe's mental health battle and Young Thug gets engaged

.Mzansi has endured a difficult week, with the nation mourning the loss of some celebrities while others grieve the passing of their loved ones.

From the brutal killing of DJ Warras to the passing of former Springboks Women’s captain Lusanda Dumke and the Sama's leaving netizens unimpressed, it has been a whirlwind week.

Let's explore this week’s celeb buzz:

1. Tributes pour in for Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock, who was murdered at 40

The entertainment industry was left reeling after the tragic news of DJ Warras's brutal attack and fatal shooting at the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg on Tuesday, December 16.

Tributes poured in from friends, fans, political figures and media colleagues, who extended profound condolences to Warras’ family. 

Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed his death, revealing that the motive behind the shooting is still unknown and investigations are underway.

2. Lasizwe checks himself at a mental wellness facility, and encourages people to take mental health seriously

Media personality Lasizwe Dambuza shared a social media post on Tuesday, December 16, revealing that he has decided to check himself in at a mental wellness facility.

He revealed: “This year has been mentally challenging. I’m burnt out. I’m depressed.”

Dambuza further shared that he wished people would take mental health seriously, while urging everyone to learn how to open up about their feelings and encouraged people to seek professional help.

3. South Africa mourns the passing of former Springboks Women's captain, Lusanda Dumke

South Africa received the devastating news of Lusanda Dumke’s passing in the early hours of Tuesday, December 16, after a courageous battle with a rare form of gastric cancer.

Dumke stepped away from rugby in August to focus on her health.

The nation was shaken by the news of her passing, which immediately led to a flood of grief on social media, with tributes pouring in from team members, colleagues, and fans, all emphasising Dumke's profound impact on their lives.

4. Hollywood film-maker Rob Reiner and wife, Michelle, were found dead in their home

Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle Singer Reiner, were found dead in their LA home on Sunday, December 14. It is reported that their bodies were found with multiple stab wounds by a family member.

Following their deaths, their son, Nick Reiner, was officially charged with murder by prosecutors. The 32-year-old is facing two counts of first-degree murder.

5. Natasha Thahane mourns the passing of two family members in a week

Actress Natasha Thahane took to social media on Sunday, revealing that she is going through the toughest time of her life as she recently lost two family members, her uncle and grandmother, in a week.

She shared that on Wednesday, she lost her uncle, and then on Sunday, while they were busy with the funeral preparations, her grandmother passed away.

Thahane also added that even though her heart is broken, she is at peace knowing that her grandmother is now resting.

6. Kim Kardashian's iconic collaboration with ‘Fortnite’

American media personality Kim Kardashian is now the latest celebrity to join the “Fortnite Icon Series.”

Kardashian’s avatar comes with two outfits, two emotes (or dance moves), two back blings (accessories resembling backpacks), two pickaxes - one of which is designed as a make-up brush and a single glider.

She shared in an interview recently that the reason why she agreed to this collaboration is that she loves the gaming space, and she was “excited to have my own character.”

7. 2025 Samas leave Mzansi unimpressed

What was deemed one of the prestigious music awards in SA is slowly turning into something else after this year’s South African Music Awards (Samas) left the nation unimpressed.

From the lack of noise online about the awards to many stars not attending, it was very underwhelming.

Despite that, other artists showed up and showed out, including Naledi Aphiwe, Zee Nxumalo, Gigi Lamayne and Nontokozo Mkhize, just to name a few.

8. Somizi Mhlongo’s designs for Makhadzi and Zee Nxumalo at the Samas got tongues wagging

South African seasoned radio presenter and fashion designer, Somizi Mhlongo, showcased his fashion talent at the Samas on Sunday, December 14, by designing dresses for several celebrities.

This includes Makhadzi, Zee Nxumalo and Naledi Aphiwe, who proudly wore his designs.

However, not all the outfits received love because Makhadzi’s dress had tongues wagging with many online saying the dress is “a mess”, including Mhlongo’s ex, Mohale Motaung, who joined in on the conversation with a subtle shade.

9. Cristiano Ronaldo set to join latest “Fast & Furious” sequel, Vin Diesel confirms

Football star Cristiano Ronaldo is set to join an upcoming franchise of the iconic “Fast & Furious", leaving fans excited about the news.

Actor Vin Diesel used social media to confirm the news that a script for Ronaldo has been written.

Diesel captioned the post: “Everyone asked, would he be in the Fast mythology… I gotta tell you, he is a real one. We wrote a role for him… @cristiano.”

10. Rapper Young Thug and Mariah the Scientist get engaged

Congratulations are in order for celebrity couple Young Thug and Mariah the Scientist, who got engaged on Tuesday, December 16.

The rapper proposed to the singer in the middle of his concert, with the words “Will You Marry Me” displayed in the background.

Fans flooded social media with congratulatory messages as they entered a new chapter of their love.