Lerato Mvelase stormed on stage at Nandi Nyembe’s memorial service and tore Gayton McKenzie to pieces – Video

Lerato Mvelase stormed on stage at Nandi Nyembe’s memorial service and tore Gayton McKenzie to pieces – Video/

Lerato Mvalase criticised Minister Gayton McKenzie at the late actress Nandi Nyembe’s memorial service At a packed hall filled with peers and loved ones, Mvelase slammed the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture and his department for their empty promises and demanded justice for the creative industry.

This comes after it was revealed that Nyembe had not received the donations meant to aid her financial burden

What was meant to be a day to celebrate the life of one of South Africa’s most esteemed actresses, the late Nandi Nyembe, took a turn when Lerato Mvelase turned her anger into activism.

The veteran actress tragically passed away on 23 August 2025, and her memorial service, held on Thursday, 28 August, was attended by loved ones, including acclaimed stars and politicians.

The Deputy Director at the Department of Arts and Culture, Sibusiso Tsanyane, was there to deliver a speech on behalf of Minister Gayton McKenzie. Just as he concluded, actress Lerato Mvelase took to the podium to unleash fury on the department.

I would have loved to hear a speech that speaks on adjusting or changing the policies in place. How long must we hear the same speech? How long must we have the same engagements about the need for policy structures that are going to protect us as actors? We are fighting with the system that has been putting actors down our whole lives.”

She continued, backed by loud applause, that until there was a change, the department was not welcome to celebrate and honour fallen stars:

“Please do tell the Minister that going forward, artists will no longer allow the department to come celebrate with us. We have been sold a dream that will never be realised. And I can assure you, wherever Mam’ Nandi is, her heart was not happy. We are not happy.” 

Actress, Lerato Mvelase says the department of Sport, Arts and Culture will no longer be allowed to speak at actors’ funerals, because they keep on making the same empty promises.

“We are not a charity case…There is no political will to help actors,” says the actress. pic.twitter.com/VYvsDpny4l

— Karisa (@MpumeeMagagula) August 28, 2025

Social media reacts to Lerato Mvelase’s speech South Africans were moved to tears by Lerato’s words and praised her for standing up not only for Nandi Nyembe but for other actors. Read some of their comments below:

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