Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa has commended actor Patrick Shai for fighting the scourge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and femicide.
The 66-year-old founder of the Khuluma Ndoda advocacy group died at his Soweto home on Saturday.
Mthethwa says Shai’s legacy will never die.
He was speaking at a memorial service at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg on Thursday.
“The industry has lost a true thespian creative imitator and educator. What is not lost is the legacy. He may be gone but the legacy is not lost. The message and the compelling to all of us to do our part regardless of how imperfect it may be to fight for a society where every child, woman and man can coexist in harmony. And each one reaping the benefits in the constitution of the country,” says Mthethwa.
VIDEO: Patrick Shai I Zodwa Zwane remembers the veteran actor:
Entertainment enthusiasts, members of the public, friends and close family members converged at the Market Theatre to honour Shai at a memorial service.
His career began in some of the SABC’s best dramas such as Yizo Yizo, Soul City, Bophelo ke Semphekgo and Generations. He was also the founding members of Free Film Makers of South Africa.
Former Generations actress, Sophie Ndaba, is amongst those attending the memorial service. She has called on South Africans to preserve Shai’s legacy.
“I think to continue the young men of South Africa and the entertainment industry must take up the baton and continue with it if it’s something within their vision as well. They must learn from him that as an elder he was fighting for things young people should be fighting for. Especially when it’s for job creation, GBV etc. So I think let’s remember him on that,” says Ndaba.
VIDEO: Patrick Shai’s family trying to come to terms with his passing:
