Shaleen Surtie-Richards

Also See Surtee-Richards, Shaleen (Also billed as Surtee-Richards on occasion.)

(1955-) Actress. Born in Upington, schooled both there and in Cape-Town. Qualifying as a kindergarden teacher, she taught in both cities between 1974 and 1984. She acted in several amateur stage productions between 1974 and 1981, amongst others as a member of the Cape Flats Players and appeared at the Space Theatre in Die Swerfjare van Poppie Nongena. She was also active in productions of the Department of Education’s Theatre-in-Education from 1982 - 1984. In 1984 she turned full-time professional and became a household name through her appearances on stage, television and films. Her stage work over the last 30 years includes "Hester" in Fugard's Hallo en Koebaai (Fleur du Cap Theatre Award, Best Actress, 1985), Fiela se Kind at the (Nico Malan,  1986), Esther van Ryswyk’s production of Hallo en Koebaai in 1987 (AA Life Vita Award, most outstanding actress in an Afrikaans play). Just Like Home (Pieter-Dirk Uys, 1989), Adam Small’s Kanna is coming home ** Pieter-Dirk Uys’ Just Like Home (Laager, 1989). **. ***Shirley Valentine (2008-2009) * Her many TV appearances include stints as presenter and roles in single dramas and series such as Generations, Sewende Laan and notably the role of “Nenna Willemse” in Egoli. She created the role of “Fiela” for the award-winning film version of Fiela se Kind (198*). Other films include Nag van die Negentiende (1990), **. She also works on radio as narrator and actress. Besides a staggering 28 awards, starting in 1978 when she was still an amateur, she has been neamed an Afri-koon (African icon) by the ATKV and made Health Ambassador for the Northern Cape.