South Africa mourns the death of celebrated actor Patrick Shai.

By Lehlohonolo Lehana.

@GalloImages.

Veteran South African actor Patrick Shai passed away on Saturday morning, his family has announced.

“It is with great sadness to announce the passing of the veteran actor Patrick Shai. He passed away this morning,” said the family in a statement. 

They gave no further details in the statement, asking for time to process Shai’s passing.

However police says that Shai took his own life and his body was discovered by his wife in the garage of his Dobsonville home.

Shai,was a prolific actor with an extensive filmography under his belt and tributes dedicated to him have flooded social media platforms since his death was confirmed.

The veteran actor  became a household name after appearing in numerous television series including Mission Top Secret, Zero Tolerance, Hillside, Soul City and Yizo Yizo.

Shai also had an extensive feature film resume which included Cry, the Beloved Country and Critical Assignment among many others.

His most recent TV role saw him reunite with Sputla Sebogodi on screen to play the role of Phasha on 1 Magic’s The River.

He was also the founder of the Khuluma Ndoda men’s social movement against gender violence.

Here are some of the messages shared: 

Director of local entertainment channels at M-Net Shirley Adonisi paid tribute to the late actor on behalf of Mzansi Magic.

“The SA television industry has lost one of the greatest thespians ever to grace our screens. Mzansi Magic would like to send their deepest condolences to the family of Patrick Shai who has recently joined The River. Your contribution to the arts will forever be treasured.” read the statement.

The Presiding Officers of Parliament have also paid tribute to Shai, describing him as a role model par-excellence.

National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and National Council of Provinces chairperson, Amos Masondo, said Shai was not just an artist, but a legend.

“He was a legend, an inspiring figure beyond the arts fraternity, a change maker, an exemplary leader and a true activist and advocate against gender-based violence.

“We are gutted and bitterly saddened by the loss of such a titanic and incomparable talent, an outstanding human being with a humble personality,” the Presiding Officers said.

Through his organisation, Khulumandoda, Shai partnered with Parliament in its National Men’s Parliament initiative, which brought together about 250 men and boys from across the country to engage them to become agents of change and integral partners in the prevention of, and response in tackling the spread of HIV, gender-based violence and femicide and other social ills.

“South Africa has lost an extraordinary human being whose role, unrivalled talent and outstanding service to society can never be replaced. May his soul rest peacefully,” Mapisa-Nqakula and Masondo said.

Activist and media personality Criselda Kananda penned a prayer saying people failed to pay attention to signs he was asking for help.

“Dear God, I’m requesting your sons & daughters to stop being rude to people they don’t know. Yhu hayi Bawo it is getting worse. This social media has created unkind, hateful, hurtful people who can’t take just a sec to think about #hurtpeoplehurtpeople #RIPPatrickShai“

“People are going through a lot, please be gentle. Try harder to identify signs that are a cry for help,” Criselda wrote on Instagram.

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has expressed its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of veteran actor and gender-based violence (GBV) activist, Shai.

Commission chairperson, Tamara Mathebula, said the news of the passing of Shai has been met with sadness by all at the CGE.

“He will be sorely missed by those who had embraced him as a human rights and gender activist. We have worked closely with him in advancing gender equality and issues of men and boys in South Africa.

“Ntate Shai was a compassionate hero of our struggle against gender-based violence, who would use his artistic skills to ensure that the message gets across to his intended audience.

“It is through men like Ntate Shai that we are seeing a shift in the mind-set amongst many men, and we shall continue in the same trajectory to eradicate the scourge of GBV. As the Commission, we mourn his passing and equally celebrate his life. He will be missed. May his soul rest in peace”, Mathebula said.

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