Patrick Shai

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

Biography

Born in Dobsonville, Soweto.

Shai later became an advocate against gender-based violence, and was open about his own history as an abuser and how it has impacted his relationship with his family. He went on to found a non-governmental organisation called Khuluma Ndoda[] to help abusive men and became a Brother’s For Life Ambassador, Community Safety Ambassador and the anti-Femicide Champion for the Department of Justice.

In 2019 he was shot 11 times with rubber bullets by police while participating in a protest by when community members of Dobsonville, in Soweto, took to the streets to protest against power cuts in their area.

Shai passed away on Saturday morning 22 January, 2022, leaving his wife Mmasechaba Shai[1] 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.

Stage: 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.

Film:: 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, Cry, the Beloved Country and Critical Assignment

TV work: This included appearances in 7de Laan (playing "Jacob Moloi" between 2017 and 2020), Bophelo ke Semphekgo, Hearts and Minds, Soul City, Generations, Ashes to Ashes, Mission Top Secret, Yizo Yizo, Zero Tolerance, Moferefere Lenyalong, The River (as "Phasha").

At an organizational level he was a member of the NAC panel of experts and chair of the panel on theatre and performance in 2007. He was also one of the founding members of Free Film Makers of South Africa.