By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The funeral of legendary actor, Patrick Molefe Shai, took place at the Soweto Theatre in Gauteng on Saturday.
Shai died last Saturday morning at his Soweto home at the age of 66.
Fellow actors Sello Maake-ka Ncube and Nakedi Ribane served as the joined masters of ceremonies and saw to it that proceedings at the Soweto Theatre ran smoothly.
Shai’s uncle Pat Kgamedi has urged people to accept the late actor’s apology.
Kgamedi was speaking on behalf of the family on Saturday at the legendary actor’s funeral service at the Soweto Theatre.
“Please leave this cancer as it’s starting. It mustn’t affect the industry that you people have built and made your own. Whatever has happened, even those that are listening online, find it in your hearts to say ‘we accept your apology.’
Kgamedi said all that had happened was in the past.
Shai’s daughter, Tshepiso spoke about the man she called her hero. A man who wanted nothing more than to keep his family united.
“He wasn’t just my father, he was everyone’s father. My heart is very heavy… And now I am privileged to have him as an angel. An angel that I was not ready for but an angel that I have accepted.”
She also spoke about how Shai will be missed by his grandkids whom he often made an effort to spend time with.
“I can’t speak of you in the past tense because you live on in me. We love you deeply, today, yesterday and tomorrow.”
Her speech was followed by that of her brother Kopano who had trended on social media after he allegedly lambasted his father for the video challenge to rapper Cassper Nyovest prior to him taking his own life.
Kopano described his father as an affectionate and fun-loving man.
Numerous speakers at his funeral shared that Shai had privately battled suicide ideation for a prolonged period of time.
Shai was described as “a staunch activist against gender-based violence who founded the Khuluma Ndoda Men’s Social Movement Against Violence in an effort to have men participate in the fight against this scourge”.
He will be mostly remembered for his roles in Bophelo ke Semphego,Yizo Yizo and The River l!, just to mention a few, as the list is endless. This is not only a loss to the entertainment industry but a great loss to the entire country. A dedicated, selfless actor who made acting look easy with his energy, skill, enthusiasm, and passion as was evident in his body language.
Shai,you were such a good role model, not only in acting circles but with your role as an ambassador for people opposing women abuse and fighting for their rights. You did what many men fail to do: coming out and confessing that you were an abuser and a perpetrator of violence yourself. It takes bravery, humour and courage to do so.
Robala ka khotso.
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Video Courtesy of Dignifind.