LWAMONDO – After many months of speculation about the health of well-known TV and radio drama actor, Tendani Patrick "Ratshitanga" Mulaudzi, who was also known as Maswigiri, he passed away last Friday morning in the Tshilidzini Hospital.

Maswigiri (50), had been seriously ill since last year and his death is viewed as a big blow to the world of entertainment. Mulaudzi was also known as Ratshitanga after the role he played in Muvhango, the first Venda drama to appear on television.

His voice will be seriously missed by the Venda-speaking people, who knew him as "Maswigiri", following the role he played in one of the dramas that he was involved in for Phalaphala SABC radio, Midzimu I a Hana.

The drama has been running for more than 600 episodes now. Unlike in Muvhango, where he was known as a serious and strict person, Ratshitanga, who was the main character on Midzimu I a hana, was admired by everyone for his jokes whenever he was acting.

The good comedian who kept people glued to their radios whenever he was acting in any radio drama, more especially Midzimu I a hana, will be seriously missed.

Ratshitanga, a qualified teacher, taught for some years before he joined NTK Roller Mills and then Eskom. He later resigned to take over family businesses. He started playing in radio dramas with the then Radio Thohoyandou, that became Radio Venda, and which is now known as Phalaphala FM.

His involvement in radio dramas encouraged many youths to become involved in dramas.He also entertained a lot of people with his antics, making them feel proud of their language and enjoy listening to radio dramas.

He was involved in many community projects that include offering free workshops to the youth who wanted to make it in dramas.

He also worked with a well-known reggae artist in the province, Khakhathi and Friends on the album entitled, Hu kho u bvelela mini. Like in his workshops, the albums also tackled the issue of HIV/Aids.

Ratshitanga's death will end a lot of speculation made two months ago during his illness, when it was said that he had passed away. He is survived by his wife, Madala, and four children.

Khakhathi, from Khakhathi and Friends said Ratshitanda's death is a great loss, as he was person who always had new ideas. Although Ratshitanga had been in and out of hospital since last year, news of his death shocked his fans. His funeral is scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday morning, at his home in Lwamondo.