Editor
Famous artist Netsanet Workineh funeral is underway in Addis Ababa.
To millions of Ethiopians, Netsanet Workneh was more than an actor and TV host. He was a storyteller who helped shape modern Ethiopian cinema and television. He starred in and helped create beloved films like City Boys, FBI, Yanchaw Leba 2, Mr. X, and Chombe, roles that balanced humor with heart and showcased his range as a performer.
On television, his warm and engaging presence made him the face of the family-favorite show Yebeteseb Chewata on EBS TV — a game show that became more than just entertainment. For many viewers, tuning in each week became a ritual, a moment of laughter and shared fun with loved ones.
The Funeral: Honor, Respect, and Shared Grief
In the days after his death, plans for funeral and memorial services began to take shape. EBS TV — where Netsanet spent much of his career — announced they would air special tributes, celebrating his life and his contributions to national culture. His family, friends, and colleagues have been organizing private and public memorials to honor his memory.
The atmosphere around these ceremonies isn’t just formal ritual — it reflects a collective sense of loss. People who watched his films and shows feel as if they’re saying goodbye to someone they’ve known for years. The funeral brought together fellow artists, industry figures, and everyday fans, all sharing stories, laughter, and tears in equal measure.
What Netsanet Leaves Behind
Watching the tributes roll in on social media and hearing the reflections from those who worked with him, two themes keep coming up:
1. Connection: Netsanet had this rare gift of making audiences feel seen, entertained, and understood — not just as viewers, but as people with shared moments, memories, and cultural threads.
2. Mentorship: Behind the scenes, he was generous with his time and encouragement, especially to younger artists. Many actors and presenters credit him with helping them find their start in a tough industry.
His legacy isn’t just in the films and shows he made — it’s in the way those works made people feel, and how they brought families and communities together around shared laughs and stories.
A Family Mourns, a Nation Remembers
Netsanet Workneh was a devoted husband and father of three, and his family played a central role in his life. Even through the challenges of illness, friends say he remained focused on his craft and the people he loved.
When you think about the funeral — and the wave of grief that followed — it’s clear this isn’t just about honoring a public figure. It’s about celebrating a life that became part of the cultural rhythm of Ethiopia. Parents will remember watching him with their children; young performers will recall his advice; viewers will replay scenes, quotes, and moments that felt like close company.
At its heart, the farewell to Netsanet Workneh is a reminder of what art can do: it connects us, reflects us, and sometimes, in the quiet of a funeral or the swell of a social-media tribute, reminds us why we needed that connection in the first place.
Rest in peace, Netsanet — your stories live on. ❤️
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