He worked with her for more than 10 years and every moment of it was a privilege.
The death of 7de Laan veteran actress Themsie Times has left her colleagues reeling and they are still coming to terms with the loss.
The SABC and 7de Laan confirmed the passing of veteran the actress.
“It is with great sadness that the South African Broadcasting Corporation and 7de Laan learned of the passing of South African actress, Themsie Times. Themsie warmed her way into the hearts of many South Africans through her character Maria on 7de Laan,” the SABC wrote in a statement.
“Themsie played the role of Maria from 2003 until 2016. The character was a strong-willed, business savvy yet warm-hearted woman. She worked for Septimas ‘Oubaas’ van Zyl‘s (played by Pierre van Pletzen) family for years, since he was a child. Maria then moved in with Oubaas on orders from his mother, to ensure that he was well taken care of. When Hilda, (played by Annelisa Wieland) and Oubaas started courting, Maria didn’t get along with this new woman in his life but the two eventually became friends and were inseparable. Maria was Hilda’s confidant, and they had a true friendship. She also had a close friendship with Aggie (played by Mimi Mahlasela).“
Themsie's character on 7de Laan owned a guesthouse in QwaQwa.
“Which was often referenced as her home for when she eventually retired. We are fortunate to have had South Africans enjoy Themsie’s talent through her portrayal of this role. Our thoughts and prayers are with Themsie’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. We send our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and fans at large. May her soul rest in peace.”
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Henry Mylne, former series director on 7de Laan worked with Themsie for over a decade.
“I worked with Themsie for the 13 years, she adorned 7de Laan with the most loveable character one could wish for,” Henry says.
“When she walked onto the rehearsal floor in the mornings, she lit up my day. We shared the same zany sense of humour. As a team, we could spot the slightest human comedy in the most tragic scenes. As a comedienne, she ranked in the top bracket. Her reaction shots alone in any scene she graced lifted that sequence to that rare artistic level of the ever eluding surprise element.”
He describes the veteran actress as talented.
“Gifted is the word that comes to mind when I think of her, not merely talented. She could throw herself into a scene and run with it, changing it from mere storytelling to a happening. Her popularity knew no bounds,” he says.
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Henry says Themsie once told him that when she had to go shopping in her hometown of Port Elizabeth, she was so swamped.
“The management ushered all the clients out for her to quickly buy her groceries in order to only re-open the store once she was let out a back exit.”
Henry says she made sacrificed to do what is loved.
“She passed under six e-toll gates every day going to the studios in Lonehill and back home,” he says. “She had the wittiest, sharpest, most colourful retorts that could easily win her the most prestigious stand-up comedy routine award around! I simply could not leave to go on with my work. I laughed till my belly ached. ‘Themsie,’ I said, ‘A one-woman show she is.’ She carried her supreme range of emotions on her sleeve - not only within her scenes in the series but off set as well. Therefore I confided in her and she in me. She taught me to laugh at myself. She had a pure sense of justice and loyalty which she many a time demonstrated when according to her unfairness was at play.”
With the diverse audience that viewed 7de Laan, Henry says Themsie brought people together.
“She united the races in this country on screen by just being true to herself, she exuded warmth to every character in Hillside, although she firmly stood her ground in many an episode. And before ‘action’ and after ‘cut’ she immediately became the one and only Themsie; forthright, down to the ground, no airs and graces and above all the most endearing colleague or friend a person could ask for.” Henry will remember her with a smile on his face.
“What a privilege to have known her and to have experienced a true original in directing her!” he says.
