Joe "Sdumo" Mafela, a renowned South African actor, writer, producer, director, singer, and businessman, passed away on 18 March 2017 at the age of 74. Born on 25 June 1942 in Sibasa, Transvaal, South Africa, Mafela was brought up in Kliptown and White City Jabavu, in Soweto, near Johannesburg. His family lived in the Tshiawelo Township until 1990, which was designated for Venda people under Apartheid.

Mafela began his acting career at the age of 22 and played the role of an editor in the movie, Real News. He then joined the South African film company SA Films, where he worked as a producer, director, and actor for over two decades. He also managed the multi-ethnic dance troupes Mzumba, Sangoma, and the Gold Reef Dancers, which performed in feature films, theaters, and hotels across four continents.

In 1974, Mafela co-starred in the first all-black movie made in South Africa, as Peter Pleasure in Udeliwe. He also worked with renowned director Peter R. Hunt in the 1976 film Shout at the Devil. In 1996, Gallo Records released Mafela's album Shebeleza Fela, which featured the hit song "Shebeleza (Congo Mama)." The album was a huge success, and "Shebeleza" became a theme song during the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996. Mafela went on to record and release several other albums of Zulu-language songs.

Mafela was often referred to as "the face of South African entertainment" and "South Africa's Bill Cosby." He starred in numerous films and TV shows throughout his career, including the 2011 thriller Retribution. However, in 2012, he expressed his frustration at the difficulty he faced in finding acting work as he aged. He said that he had been told that he was "old and cold."

Mafela passed away in a car accident on the M1 north of Johannesburg on 18 March 2017. Two cars were involved in the accident, and he died immediately, leaving behind his wife and four children. He was laid to rest on 29 March 2017 at the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg. Mafela's contributions to South African entertainment and culture will be remembered and cherished by many.