South African comedian and actor Ebenhaezer Dibakwane has passed away at the age of 31. Preliminary evidence indicates he may have taken his own life on March 7, 2025, his family reported. Despite his public image as a comedic figure, Dibakwane had been battling depression for several years.
“The past few days have been excruciating for us as we battle to deal with this loss. Preliminary evidence suggests Ebby died by suicide, which we expect will be confirmed by the post-mortem examination,” his family said in a statement shared with TshisaLIVE.
Born in 1994, Dibakwane gained recognition in the entertainment field after winning the Newcomer of the Year award at the Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards in 2016. He continued to achieve success, winning the Intermediate category award the following year and receiving a nomination for Breakthrough Comedian in 2018.
Dibakwane’s funeral was held on March 14 in Mbombela, Nelspruit, South Africa, after a memorial service at The Bioscope in Johannesburg on March 12. During the funeral, a relative read a letter from his parents, Paul and Lucy Dibakwane, expressing their lasting love and memories of their son.
His family noted that Dibakwane displayed remarkable talents from an early age, excelling in English and mathematics during his childhood.
Tabitha Forrest, Dibakwane’s manager, commented on his artistic growth: “He grew so much over the years. We started working with him at the age of 22. Just to see him develop and to see the talent that came out was phenomenal.” She also mentioned that Dibakwane often sent unexpected messages of gratitude, noting, “Very often I would wake up and get like a 5 am heart from him on my WhatsApp, completely out of the blue…”
Fellow comedian Chris Forrest, who mentored Dibakwane early in his career, praised his distinctive comedic skills.
Dibakwane’s talents went beyond stand-up comedy, extending into television and film. His acting included roles in South African productions such as “Ashes to Ashes,” “The Bantu Hour,” and “Thuli noThulani.” He participated in “Dancing with the Stars South Africa” and appeared in productions like “Catching Feelings” and “MTV Shuga Downsouth.” His scriptwriting abilities earned him a Best Achievement in Scriptwriting nomination at the South African Film and Television Awards.
During his career, Dibakwane worked with numerous comedy stars, including Trevor Noah and Marc Lottering, as well as international performers like Aries Spears and Hannibal Buress. His unique perspective and ability to find humor in complex situations made his impact on South African comedy “undeniable,” according to his family.
Comedian Wazi M Kunene expressed her sorrow on Instagram, referring to Dibakwane as her “first friend” in the entertainment industry.
Dibakwane’s death has drawn attention to the mental health challenges faced by those in the entertainment industry, especially in South Africa. His passing follows similar losses of rapper Riky Rick and actors Patrick Shai and Siyabonga Zubane, highlighting a mental health crisis among creative professionals.
Many comedians struggle with depression, using their craft as a defense against it. Despite external success, these internal battles may remain hidden from public view.
The South African entertainment community mourns the loss of a talented performer who significantly contributed to comedy and acting during his relatively brief career. The family is grieving and has expressed gratitude for the public’s support and love.
