Cynthia Shange, regarded as the first Black woman to represent South Africa at the Miss World during apartheid, has died at the age of 76. Her daughter, Nonhle Thema, confirmed her passing. She paid tribute to her mother’s compassion and legacy.

Shange rose to prominence in the 1970s when she represented South Africa at the Miss World pageant. At the time, black women were not allowed to compete in Miss South Africa, due to the racist system of apartheid, and instead created their own parallel competitions, such as Miss Africa South, which she won.

Thoko Didiza, the Speaker of the National Assembly, and Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, extended their deepest condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and the entire arts community.