by Thinus Ferreira
The family of Shaleen Surtie-Richards whose shocking death at 66 on Monday morning
stunned South Africa’s TV and film industry and everyone who watched and loved
her characters she portrayed on stage, TV and in the movies, said that the
beloved actress who was their aunt, sister, cousin and niece lived not just in
their hearts but in the hears of all South Africans.
Shaleen
Surtie-Richards, known for iconic roles like Nenna in Egoli on M-Net (DStv 101)
and Fiela Komoetie in the film Fiela se Kind, passed away in a guest house in
Cape Town where she was staying while filming for her role in kykNET’s Arendsvlei
telenovela.
She
was supposed to go to get her Covid-19 vaccine on Monday but when her family
arrived they found her dead. The cause of her death has not been established but
her family says she did not take her own life.
“Today,
the Surtie family has to confirm with great sadness and utter shock the passing
of Shaleen Surtie-Richards,” Alistair Izobell, the family’s spokesperson told TVwithThinus.
“We
have lost a sister, an aunt, a cousin and a niece and we are trying to process,
to come to terms and to still our broken hearts. We understand that she was not
just only in our hearts but in the hearts of this great nation and we thank you
for your love and support and respect as we prepare for her final curtain
call”.
