Netflix actress' sudden death at 36
<p dir="ltr">Actress Busisiwe Lurayi, the star of Netflix’s comedy series <em>How to Ruin Christmas</em>, has passed away aged 36.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Lurayi, a prolific stage and screen actress known as Busi, died at her South African home over the weekend.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Her sudden death was confirmed in a statement shared on the official Instagram account of her Johannesburg-based talent agency, Eye Media Arts.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“We are deeply saddened to notify you of the passing of our beloved Busisiwe Lurayi," the statement read.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"Busisiwe passed away suddenly and was pronounced dead at her residence on Sunday [July 10, 2022] by medical personnel.”</p>
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<p dir="ltr">The cause of her death is still unknown, according to the statement.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"We humbly request that you allow us as the family to come to terms with this tragic news,” the statement continued.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“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."</p>
<p dir="ltr">Lurayi was best known for her role as Tumi Sello in <em>How to Ruin Christmas</em>, which earned her the SAFTA Golden Horn Award for Best Actress in a TV Comedy in 2021.</p>
<p dir="ltr">She also starred in various South African shows, including <em>City Ses’la</em>, which she received the SAFTA Golden Horn Award for Best Actress in a TV Comedy for in 2011 and the SAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2006.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Lurayi was also known for her roles in the shows <em>Ses’Top la</em> and <em>Wild at Heart,</em> and guest-starred in an episode of <em>ER </em>in 2006.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Tributes to Lurayi have poured in since the news of her passing, with fans, Netflix South Africa and the SAFTAs praising her as an “incredible light” and “brilliant actor”.</p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a542f82e-7fff-bfac-a23a-3d2a42fc4599"></span></p>
<p dir="ltr">“An incredible light has gone out in the South African entertainment industry. We are deeply saddened by the passing of award-winning stage & screen actor Busi Lurayi. We will hold onto the laughs, the beauty & the moments of joy she brought us,” Netflix South Africa tweeted.</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">An incredible light has gone out in the South African entertainment industry. We are deeply saddened by the passing of award-winning stage & screen actor Busi Lurayi. We will hold onto the laughs, the beauty & the moments of joy she brought us. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPBusiLurayi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIPBusiLurayi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HowToRuinChristmas?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HowToRuinChristmas</a> <a href="https://t.co/eUdcpqtTfG">pic.twitter.com/eUdcpqtTfG</a></p>
<p>— NetflixSA (@NetflixSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NetflixSA/status/1546518948488908801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">At this time of loss, we are deeply saddened by the passing of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BusiLurayi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BusiLurayi</a>. We’ll remember her as an incredibly talented actress who was a winner of her first <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Safta?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Safta</a> for Best Supporting Actress in a TV Comedy in 2006. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPBusiLurayi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIPBusiLurayi</a> <a href="https://t.co/hKlMKUZelM">pic.twitter.com/hKlMKUZelM</a></p>
<p>— #SAFTAs (@SAFTAS1) <a href="https://twitter.com/SAFTAS1/status/1546489832418992130?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">RIP: Busi Lurayi</p>
<p>The prolific Stage & Screen ctress has passed on. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPBusiLurayi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIPBusiLurayi</a> <a href="https://t.co/Jtje4Efqfj">pic.twitter.com/Jtje4Efqfj</a></p>
<p>— Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) <a href="https://twitter.com/PhilMphela/status/1546438519182315521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p dir="ltr">"At this time of loss, we are deeply saddened by the passing of #BusiLurayi. We'll remember her as an incredibly talented actress who was a winner of her first #Safta for Best Supporting Actress in a TV Comedy in 2006,” the SAFTA’s wrote.</p>
<p dir="ltr">One fan replied: “She was remarkable. Condolences to her family🙏🏽."</p>
<p dir="ltr">Kgopolo Phil Mphela, a South African celebrity commentator, wrote: “RIP: Busi Lurayi. The prolific Stage & Screen actress has passed on.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“I remember Busi Lurayi from City Ses’la that’s where I fell in love with her, she was a brilliant actor she will definitely be missed,” another fan <a href="https://twitter.com/Collen_KM/status/1546448898809647104" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Sad to hear about Busi Lurayi’s passing,” celebrity blogger and TV presenter Lelo Boyana <a href="https://twitter.com/MsLeloB/status/1546534845869965315" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a>. “She was an incredibly talented artist, one of the best we’ve had, and I’m glad we gave her flowers while she was here.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Sending love and comfort to friends, family and colleagues 🕯️🙏🏽.”</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-36894a12-7fff-09dc-d2da-81503d63a340"></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>
