Mary Makhatho was a renowned South African actress who made a name for herself in the entertainment industry with her outstanding performances. She was born on 10 August 1965 in Soshanguve, South Africa. She was best known for her roles in popular television series such as Yizo Yizo, Gaz'lam, Generations, Ga Re Dumele and many more.

On 6 July 2017, Makhatho was severely injured after a fall which resulted in a head injury, and she was in a coma. She was rushed to a Johannesburg hospital but was later transferred to a Pretoria hospital, where she was placed in high care on 10 July. Despite receiving medical attention, she passed away on 7 August 2017, at the age of 51, without regaining consciousness. Her funeral service was held on 14 August 2017, and she was buried at Block VV Cemetery in Soshanguve.

Makhatho started her acting career in 1998 with a role in the SABC2 drama series Kelebone. She then appeared in several television series, including Soul Buddyz, Yizo Yizo, Gaz'lam, Generations, Rhythm City, eKasi: Our Stories, Ga Re Dumele, and Mamello. She also acted in the Hollywood blockbuster feature film Duma directed by Carroll Ballard in 2015, where she played the role of "Thandi", which was critically acclaimed.

Makhatho's remarkable acting skills and dedication to her craft made her a household name in South Africa's entertainment industry. Her sudden demise was a great loss to the industry, and her legacy continues to inspire many upcoming actors and actresses.