5 November 2007
KwaZulu-Natal Arts, Culture and Tourism MEC Mrs. Weziwe Thusi has expressed
great sadness at the death of veteran actor Henry Cele. Black Cat, as he was
affectionately known, died after a short illness in a Durban hospital last
week.
Mrs Thusi said "The KwaZulu-Natal arts community has been dealt a severe blow
losing two icons in less than one month, first Lucky Dube and now Cele."
The soccer ace turned actor shot to international fame with his stunning
portrayal of King Shaka in the television series and subsequent movie Shaka
Zulu. Mrs Thusi said, "Cele is really one of those actors that we must credit
for putting our province on the international map, as early as 1986 he showed
the world that South Africa has the talent to tell the stories of her own
heroes."
"The Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism has also suffered greatly
because we have plans to develop our film industry and we are relying on
artists of Cele's calibre to assist us and now we've lost him."
Mrs Thusi has paid tribute to Cele for his selfless work with aspiring
actors. "What some people don't know is that despite his international success
Cele did not forget his roots. He worked with young actors at the Ekhaya Multi
Arts Centre in KwaMashu equipping them with acting and life skills without
expecting or receiving payment."
Enquiries:
Ncumisa Fandesi
Cell: 083 447 0958
Issued by: Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
5 November 2007
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za/)
