Simba Mhere (actor)

Simba was born on 29 October 1988 in Harare, Zimbabwe to Joseph Mhere and Angela Mhere.[2] He had one younger sister, Valerie, who is a 100m and 200m sprinter.[3][4] When he was a one-year old baby, his family moved to South Africa. Then he attended Randpark High School for studies. He later graduated with BComm degree in accounting from the University of Johannesburg.[5]

In 2010, he won the lifestyle show, Top Billing Presenter Search, where he rose to prominence.[5] Since that, he worked as a voice-over artist for many radio and television programs. Apart from that, he also worked as a stage host for film award ceremonies and beauty pageants such as the Mrs SA pageant in 2013.[6]

On 31 January 2015, Simba travelled to OR Tambo International Airport with his friend, blogger and social commentator Kady-Shay O'Bryan and his father to board a flight to the famous J&B Met horse race taking place in Cape Town.[7] Then his Mitsubishi vehicle collided with another car VW Polo GTI on William Nicol Drive in Fourways, Johannesburg after that car flew over an island and encroached into his lane.[8] Simba (26-years) and Kady-Shay (29-years) were killed in a head-on collision with fatal wounds from the accident in the early hours of the morning, and his father survived the crash.[9][10][11] A total of 8 people died in the accident, including passengers from at least one other vehicle that got caught up in the crash. His memorial service was held on 5 February 2015 at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg, South Africa.[12] Several tributes were paid by his colleagues and friends during the memorial service.[13]

After several weeks of delays,[14][15][16] the suspect appeared in court on charges on 29 October. During the investigations, Naidoo's car tracker had recorded 37 incidents in which the speed limit had been exceeded.[17][18] The convicted man, 24-year old Preshalin Naidoo was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Randburg Magistrate after found guilty of culpable homicide and reckless driving.[19][20] During the trial, eyewitnesses alleged that Naidoo told them he could not control his vehicle and that he fell asleep.[21] According to sources, Naidoo had been travelling at 210 km/h, minutes before the accident.[22][23] But, Naidoo later stated that he lost control of his vehicle due to "unexpected mechanical defects".[24] Another witness, Mamokete Laka, also told the court that Naidoo smelt like alcohol.[25] In February 2017, The State closed its case in the trial on Preshalin Naidoo.[26] After conducting the post-mortem on Simba, the Pathologist Dr Candice Hansmeyer‚ stated that Simba was still alive after the car crash.[27]

After Simba's death, his fellow Top Billing presenter and close friend, Jonathan Boynton-Lee announced that he has officially registered a production company titled "Half Man Half Amazing Productions" to honor the legacy of Simba.[28][29]

• IMDb