The sudden passing of legendary actress Shaleen Surtie-Richards (66) on Monday morning, is mourned across the country. Multichoice will be honouring her trail-blazing career with a never-before seen documentary Shaleen Surtie-Richards: ‘I Am Who I Am’ on M-Net on Wednesday 9 June at 19:30 which will also be simulcast on kykNET and kykNETkie on Sunday 13 June 2021 at 20:00. The documentary will also be available to stream on Showmax on Thursday 10 June 2021. There will also be additional commemorative programmes on various other channels.
Shaleen Surtie-Richards was a beloved South African icon. In 1988, she portrayed the title role of Fiela Komoetie in the Katinka Heyns film Fiela se kind – a ground-breaking achievement for an actress of colour during Apartheid South Africa. With her portrayal of Ester “Nenna” Willemse, the spirited caregiver of Marlborough Mansions in the M-Net soapie Egoli: Place of Gold, she became a household name.
“The documentary was commissioned to celebrate a South African icon and was in its final stages of post-production when the news of her passing was announced. It was an honour for the team to pay tribute and spend time with Shaleen in the making of this film. Her incredible story is historically significant for the people of South Africa.” – Diana Lucas, director and executive producer of the film.
In this intimate documentary, we revisit Shaleen’s life from her childhood in Upington and her first baby steps on the Upington school stage to far grander stages and greater audiences.
Marc Lottering, Sandra Prinsloo, Pieter-Dirk Uys, Brümilda van Rensburg, Katinka Heyns, Patricia de Lille, Bobby Heaney, Kevin Smith and others share their memories and stories of a woman who lived her life in defiance of stereotypes.
In her own words: “And I don’t have time for pretence in my life. So, if you ask me who am I. Then, I will tell you, I am who am.”
Surtie-Richards was also recently interviewed by fellow Egoli: Place of Gold co-star Hannes van Wyk for a special Kwêla: Hannes aan huis episode which will be broadcast on Tuesday 08 June 2021 at 21:00 on kykNET (DStv channel 144).
On kykNET&kie (DStv channel 145), the team of KLOP! will be paying tribute to the legendary icon with friends and colleagues such as South African actors Christo Davids, Zenobia Kloppers and her Arendsvlei co-stars. The kykNET telenovela Arendsvlei was the last production Surtie-Richards filmed on.
Shaleen Surtie-Richards will always be remembered for her outstanding craftsmanship, her moving portrayal of iconic characters and her joyful personality. She has entertained and educated South African audiences for decades.
Summary of programmes and tributes on DStv platforms:
Tuesday 8 June 2021
21:00 Hannes aan huis, kykNET (DStv channel 144)
Wednesday 9 June 2021
19:30 Shaleen Surtie-Richards: I Am Who I Am, M-Net (Dstv channel 101)
20:30 KLOP!, kykNET&kie (DStv channel 145)
Thursday 10 June 2021
Shaleen Surtie-Richards: I Am Who I Am will be available on Showmax
Saturday 12 June 2021
Ontbytsake, kykNET and kykNET&kie (DStv channels 144 and 145)
Sunday 13 June 2021
19:00 Carte Blanche, M-Net (DStv channel 101)
20:00 Simulcast: Shaleen Surtie-Richards: I Am Who I Am on kykNET (DStv channel 144) and kykNET&kie (DStv channel 145)
20:30 Swirl, fliekNET (DStv channel 149)
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