Shaleen Surtie-Richards was born a legend
Shaleen had an inner warmth that translated onto the screen and stage. She made you feel like you knew her your entire life. She embodied a matriarchal love so indicative of South African society; and it was that very thing we found safety in. Her face and voice we warm and inviting- a comfort wrapped in her creative talents. Her acting talents transcended the “mother” character so much — and she was given many platforms to express herself, and by design pass that onto us.
Shaleen was born in 1955 in Upington, in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. I picture a gregarious, beautiful and loving child. A curious one, and a conscious one. That same consciousness that had her speak up about apartheid in South Africa, when it was hardly safe to do so. She was also an educator while acting in local amateur theater productions. It was in the late 1980’s where Shaleen got her big break by starring as Fiela in Fiela se kind. Fiela Komotie was Shaleen; a Khoi woman who embraced the meaning of what it is to parent; which is to give. Ma is to give in Khoi. Shaleen had arguably the greatest casting in South African film industry- groundbreaking in that the family portrayed was not reduced to a stereotype of so-called Coloured people. The role was seminal and a precursor to the one of Nenna she played in Egoli; which had a 18 year run. Acting is so multi-faceted and Shaleen’s training on stage meant she could be fluid across all mediums; from talk shows to judging talent shows.
She was so comedic too, and her presence was felt in every space she took up. One thing I will always remember and have fond memories of would be her sartorial choices. Always in a “kettang” and other jewelry offscreen. She shone brighter than those gems she wore.
Her death was shocking and disappointing as we learnt she had been struggling financially to afford healthcare. It is an indictment on the government of South Africa. While Shaleen will be having a a special provincial funeral; deservedly so- it is a tragic irony to be honoured on a national scale when the law that will allow artists to earn residual royalties still sits in the to-do file on our President’s desk. We rely so much on the arts as a whole; the artists should be compensated fairly. Shaleen gave us so much without payment.
Has Shaleen transcended her presence here? Yes. Will she live on? Yes. Every day, and now is the time more than ever to look after our creatives and artists. Shaleen left a mark with her talents and personhood she gave us. Her existence was fashioned by giving us all she could, exuding love, warmth, humour, and a steadfast belief in her craft.
Her legacy is everlasting, she has left us with a repertoire so unmatched that when we watch her in remembrance; we can feel she will always be the legend she was born to be. Shaleen; rest in power, peace and the beauty you left with us. The universe may be riding off with you, but the night sky always appears- and there she shall be.