Veteran actor Patrick Shai has been described as a loving family man and an advocate against gender-based violence.
Scores of friends, family and fans have gathered at the Soweto theatre, south of Johannesburg, for his funeral service.
#RIPPatrickShai‘s body arrives at the Soweto theatre.#SABCNEWS pic.twitter.com/XDkiVKziIx
— Chriselda ‘Babes We Ndaba’ Lewis (@Chriseldalewis) January 29, 2022
Shai died last week Saturday at his Soweto home aged 65.
His career began in some of the SABC’s best dramas – such as Yizo Yizo, Soul City, Bophelo ke Semphego and Generations.
He was also an activist against gender-based violence and one of the founding members of the Free Film Makers of South Africa.
Shai’s son, Lekgetho, says he was a pillar of strength for the family.
“He didn’t take any nonsense in a way. He knew what he wanted in the industry and also how he loved his family, how he kept in contact with everyone in the family and that’s how we will remember him and the man that he was. And he groomed men on how to treat women and he was all about fighting for women, telling men that you can always be wrong at some point as a man and you can’t always be right so in a way he was giving women a voice to speak.”
Patrick Shai funeral service
Family friend, Mamanase Mathule, told mourners that Shai was caring to his family, he loved his children, he loved his grandchildren.
“You know Patrick was a caring human being. The people will tell you that when you come across him you felt that care. You know the life that he lived, he left a legacy. We are all here because of the impact he had on each and every one of our lives. And I know that he will carry out wherever he is and I want to say thank you all for coming and celebrating his life.”
Meanwhile, entertainment enthusiasts, members of the public, friends and close family members converged on the Market Theatre in Johannesburg’s CBD on Thursday, to honour Shai at a memorial service.
Former Generations actress Sophie Ndaba was amongst those who attended the memorial service. She 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.
