South Africans are in mourning after the death of veteran actor Patrick Shai. He was 57.
The River actor died on Saturday, 22 January in his Dobsonville home, his family confirmed.
“It is with great sadness to announce the passing of the veteran actor Ntate Patrick Shai. We sincerely ask you to give the family time to process this painful loss. More details will be shared in due course,” the family said in a statement.
Recently Patrick received backlash on social media for challenging rapper Cassper Nyovest to a friendly #FameVsClout fight on social media.
In the video shared by Patrick, the actor used the words “a son of a b*tch” which did not sit well with Cassper and some of his fans.
“I want to meet you on the ring. I was to beat you boy before I die. I want to make sure that I beat you, so on my tombstone they can write that’s the man that beat Caster or Costel, or whatever your sh*t name is, Nyovest. Come, Son of a b*tch,” said Patrick.
In another video where he was surrounded by a group of people, they chanted, “Go-Go Son of a b*tch.”
Patrick went on to say, “Hey wena Nyovest, I want you in the ring. I am here with my whole team and my trainer from the other Mayisela foundation. Boy, you know nothing about fighting. I represent the spirit of the fighting prince and Baby Jake Matlala. Hey boy, one round and you are dead.”
Patrick later released a video statement apologising for the bad joke and for using foul language.
“South Africa, I should have done better as motho o moholo (as an older person). My apologies. I humbly apologise from the bottom of my heart, for having used such strong language towards your mom. Even though the challenge could have been an ideal thing, now it is being soured by what I said. I am sorry, from the bottom of my heart. I am regretting every bit of the last sentence. I am sorry,” he said.
In an interview with Drum, he added that, “There is not enough apology that can erase the foul words on my mouth, that was off, and I shouldn’t have said that because it also goes against what I stand for. It was wrong of me to do that, and I should’ve known better. I am filled with regret and shame because of the last statement, it was trash talking but I should’ve checked it before I posted. It was meant to make people laugh but it took a wrong turn,” he says.
Fellow actor Hlomla Dandala has since taken to social media blaming cancel culture and those who were unforgiving even after Patrick apologised.
“I just found out about u Ta Patrick Shai and all those people that came for him for likes, I hope you’re happy. I hope you’re happy,’ she said.
“For those who wanted Patrick Shai cancelled. You wanted it. You got it. For a joke. For a Fuc&%ng joke, cancel culture killed him. Please note that while he was an embarrassment (deserving of cancellation and death) to you, he was a mentor and a father figure to many of us. But well done. I hope you are proud of yourselves,” Hlomla added.
Tributes are pouring in for the late actor;
Twitter mourning Patrick Shai is the most hypocritical thing on this app. When that video was released you could see that the man was not in a right state of mind. However, Twitter took the usual moral and self righteous ground by attacking him. Now he has committed suicide.
— African Renaissance🦅🇿🇦🦁 (@MadiBoity) January 22, 2022
This is a good time to reflect on how we treat people on social media.#RipPatrickShai
— ✨KUMKANIKAZI✨ (@ntsikimazwai) January 22, 2022
We woke up to seriously disturbing news and may your soul rest in eternally peace. May your family find comfort in the Lord! 🌸 #RIPPatrickShai pic.twitter.com/fRaHXBRvgI
— Sello Maake KaNcube 🇿🇦 #TheVoice_Play (@sellomkn) January 22, 2022
