Patrick Shai

Patrick Shai (19**-2022). Actor on stage and screen.

Biography

Shai was an advocate against gender-based violence, being open about his history as an abuser and how it has impacted his relationship with his family. He went on to become a Brother’s For Life Ambassador, Community Safety Ambassador and was currently the anti-Femicide Champion for the Department of Justice.

Shai passed away on Saturday morning 22 January, 2022. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

In a career that spanned more than 30 years, he acted in productions on stage, film and TV. His first major stage role saw him creating and performing the original “Jakes” in Sophiatown by Junction Avenue Theatre Company. Other appearances include For Your Ears Only, Maru, Nongogo, Tooth and Nail.

In 2007 he was a member of the NAC panel of experts and chair of the panel on theatre and performance.

He appeared in many feature films, including The Sheltering Desert (1991), Fools, Taxi to Soweto, Place of Weeping, Hold My Hand I'm Dying and Lambarene, while TV work included appearances in 7de Laan (playing "Jacob Moloi" between 2017 and 2020), Bophelo ke Semphekgo, Hearts and Minds, Soul City, Generations, Ashes to Ashes, Zero Tolerance, Moferefere Lenyalong, The River (as "Phasha").