The actress passed away following her battle with breast cancer. According to the family, she was undergoing treatment in Turkey before her demise.
Actress Winnie Bwire Ndubi, better known as ‘Dida’ in the popular Citizen TV series ‘Sultana’, is dead. The family confirmed this on Thursday, September 5.
The actress passed away following her battle with breast cancer. According to the family, she was undergoing treatment in Turkey before her demise.
The family’s statement expressed their deep sorrow and acceptance of God’s will as they announced her passing.“It is with heavy hearts and humble acceptance of God’s will that we announce Winfred Bwire Ndubi lost her battle with cancer on 5th September 2024, while undergoing treatment in Turkey.”
They extended their gratitude to those who supported her during her illness, adding, “We thank you all for your overwhelming support, prayers, and generous giving during her treatment. We will share more details in due course. God bless you all.”
Actress Winnie Bwire Ndubi. /RN MEDIA SERVICES
Winnie Bwire had been receiving specialised cancer care in Turkey in recent months. Popularly known as ‘Dida’, she was a versatile Coast-based actress and artist born in the 1980s.
She excelled in various artistic fields, including acting, scriptwriting, songwriting, singing, painting, and interior designing. Additionally, she was a skilled baker and businesswoman.
Acting Career
Dida’s professional acting career began in 2014 when she made her screen debut on the series ‘Penzi’ aired on Raia TV. She followed this up with appearances in other productions such as ‘Kisasa’ and ‘Tehanini’ on Maisha Magic East.
In ‘Sultana’, Dida portrays a complex character deeply in love with Jabali Junior, also known as JJ. However, JJ’s heart belongs to the blind protagonist, Sultana, which creates a challenging love triangle.
Dida’s character displays confusion, tolerance towards her mother’s (Angie Magio) insistence on her marriage to JJ, and a mixture of astonishment, anger, and fear.
She must also confront her forbidden love for Kaka, one of the maids employed by JJ’s father, all while desperately longing for JJ to choose her.
Personal Life
In her personal life, Winnie Bwire Ndubi found love and solace in the arms of Dan Sonko, a talented coastal actor who has made a name for himself in regional productions, including “Pete”. The two would later break up in 2023.
Cancer Battle
Despite her successful career and personal life, Winnie Bwire faced a significant challenge when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. In an Instagram post, she revealed that she is almost at the end of her treatment.
Bwire has been open about her cancer journey, sharing her experiences and appealing for support from her fans. Her battle with cancer began over three years ago.
She initially experienced swelling and discomfort under her armpits, which was dismissed as a common infection. However, as the pain persisted, she sought further medical advice.
Speaking on Citizen TV in March, Bwire recounted her diagnosis: “I was first told by a doctor that there were no cancerous cells. But the pain continued, so I went to a gynaecologist who then detected the cancer through a biopsy.”
Her diagnosis brought fear and uncertainty, particularly regarding her role in ‘Sultana’. “I thought I was going to be fired. I did not think I could continue filming and still receive medication due to the misconception that chemotherapy is traumatic,” Bwire shared.
Despite these fears, she credited her role in the show as a source of strength and hope.
Bwire’s journey was fraught with challenges. She revealed that the initial stages of her illness were manageable, but the condition worsened after filming for ‘Sultana’ concluded.
A PET scan revealed that the cancer had spread to her brain, bones, and other organs. She began treatment with a focus on brain cancer, as it significantly impacted her balance and coordination.
“After wrapping up Sultana, the cancer got worse. The PET scan showed it had spread,” she stated, adding “My doctor suggested addressing the brain cancer first as it affected my quality of life.”
Actress Winnie Bwire Ndubi. /BWIRE
The actress described the impact of brain metastases with a sense of resignation: “I had constant headaches, vomiting, and memory issues. The symptoms aligned with the PET scan results.”
Despite the rigorous radiotherapy and the exhaustion it brought, Bwire remained hopeful, buoyed by the support of her family and fans. Her openness about her struggle was both poignant and empowering, highlighting the often-overlooked realities of cancer treatment.
