'Blood and Water' star Ama Qamata celebrates the life and legacy of her late father

“Blood & Water” star Ama Qamata has shared a heartfelt tribute to her stepfather, Marcus, following his passing. 

The actress took to Instagram with a series of his pictures from his younger days and wrote an emotional message about the bond they shared.

Qamata expressed her disbelief, saying that “nothing feels real” and that life will never be the same again. She described her father as “the best dad in the entire world,” adding that she wished she had one more chance to tell him how much she loved him.

In her message, Qamata reflected on the memories she will always carry with her, from his sarcastic jokes and dry humour to the long conversations where, even with few words, he made her feel seen and loved. 

“You were the best dad in the entire world. I will miss your sarcastic jokes, your very dry sense of humour lol and our conversations that would last for hours,” she wrote.

Qamata shared that her father's deep love for his family changed her life in ways she will always be grateful for.

She also recalled his love for a particular song, noting that it will now serve as a reminder of him and the love he gave. “Rest in eternal peace, papa, until we meet again,” she wrote.

Qamata is known for her role as Puleng Khumalo on Netflix’s “Blood & Water”, among other shows.

Reading her words, it’s hard not to be reminded of how grief spares no one, not even those we see smiling on billboards, red carpets or global stages.

Just days ago, Grammy award-winning singer Tyla penned her own farewell to her grandmother, and now the actress is facing a similar heartbreak with her father.

These moments remind us that loss has a way of halting everything we understand about life. It changes the rhythm of ordinary days, reshapes family bonds, and leaves behind a silence that even success or celebration cannot fill.

Death alters one’s trajectory, and nothing is ever truly the same. You are left with memories to hold on to, and sometimes you find yourself panicking as you dig deep into the moments you shared, trying to remember the sound of their laugh after years of not hearing it.

To deal with grief is to live alongside it, to accept it and let it take its course, because it lingers even after many years.

In the same breath, grappling with the pain of never seeing them in the physical world is still hard to accept. 

However, honouring the loved one you’ve lost by celebrating them in different ways, whether it is wearing their favourite colour, marking their birthdays or listening to their favourite songs, 

It may never replace their physical presence, but it can soften the blow.