Umthetho leading actress Nqobile “Nunu” Khumalo has bid a painful farewell to her father, acclaimed South African author and editor Perfect Hlongwane, as the family gathered to lay him to rest.
Khumalo, who has built a name for herself as one of Mzansi’s respected actresses, has been mourning the loss of the man who was not only her father but also a celebrated figure in South Africa’s literary world.
In remembering him, Khumalo has reflected on the deep personal impact of losing her father and the legacy he leaves behind.
The actress has previously spoken about her father’s influence on her life and career, including how he reacted to her work as an actress. In a recent interview with Actor Spaces, she recalled a moment when her father quietly read her work before asking her a question that stayed with her.
For Khumalo, the loss marks the end of a deeply personal chapter, as she navigates grief while continuing to build her own legacy in the entertainment industry.
A respected literary voice
Hlongwane was a writer, editor, lecturer and author whose career stretched across literature, journalism, academia and publishing.
His debut book, Jozi, was published by the University of KwaZulu-Natal Press in 2013. The collection of interconnected stories offered a sharp portrait of life in Johannesburg, exploring the dreams, struggles and contradictions of people living in the inner city.
Hlongwane later published Sanity Prevail, a novel that explored mental health and life inside a government psychiatric hospital. The book was published by BlackBird Books and was recognised in the 2022 Humanities and Social Sciences Awards, where Hlongwane was listed as the winner in the Fiction – Best Novel category.
His professional career also included lecturing English at Wits University, editing publications and working as a copy editor for several prominent South African media and publishing organisations.
Beyond fiction, Hlongwane was also a commentator on South Africa’s arts and cultural landscape, writing about the challenges facing artists and the need for greater support for the creative sector.
A daughter remembers her father
While Khumalo has made a name for herself on screen, her connection to storytelling has an important link to her father.
Known professionally as Nunu Khumalo, the actress has appeared in a number of South African television productions and has continued to expand her career across television and film. In 2026, she was featured in Netflix’s Umthetho, where she plays Mbali Dlamini, further cementing her position among Mzansi’s leading screen performers.
Her father’s influence also extended into her understanding of storytelling and the importance of craft. In her Actor Spaces profile, Khumalo spoke about the personal significance of her father’s reaction to her creative work.
Now, as she lays him to rest, Khumalo is left to mourn not only a parent but a man whose own life was dedicated to words, stories and the power of the written voice.
Hlongwane’s books and body of work remain part of South Africa’s literary record, while for his daughter, his most enduring legacy is likely to be far more personal, the memories, lessons and influence of a father who helped shape the woman and artist she has become.
