Shaleen Surtie-Richards

Shaleen Surtie-Richards (7 May 1955 – 7 June 2021 ) was a South African television, stage, and film actress, perhaps best known for her starring roles in the 1988 film Fiela se Kind and the long-running series Egoli: Place of Gold. She performed in both Afrikaans and English.

Early life and career

Surtie-Richards was born in Upington, Cape Province, Union of South Africa, on 7 May 1955 and attended school both there and in Cape Town. Her father was a school principal, and her mother was a teacher.

Surtie-Richards was also a judge on the reality competition television series Supersterre from 2006 to 2010.

Film career

Surtie-Richards played starring or supporting roles in the following films:

Fiela se Kind (1988) Mama Jack (2005) Egoli: Afrikaners Is Plesierig (2010) Knysna (2014) Treurgrond (2015) Twee Grade van Moord (2016) Vaselinetjie (2017) Slay (2021)

Theatre career

Surtie-Richards appeared on stage throughout South Africa and in London. She also appeared at major theatre and arts festivals in South Africa and abroad, including the Aardklop Festival, the Klein Karoo Festival, the Grahamstown Festival, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

She appeared on stage in works by Shakespeare, Willy Russell, Athol Fugard,

Surtie-Richards won the Best Actress Award at the 1985 Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards for her role as Hester in Athol Fugard's Hallo en Koebaai (Hello and Goodbye). In 2009, she won another Fleur du Cap Award for her 2008 performance in Shirley Valentine. Surtie-Richards was also nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress for her role in Villa Rosa at the 2014 awards.

Surtie-Richards was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2015 Naledi Theatre Awards.

Death

Surtie-Richards died on 7 June 2021, aged 66. She died during the night in her sleep and had been suffering from multiple health issues. Her family have denied rumours that her death was a result of suicide.