The family and friends of the late legendary actor Patrick Shai are gathered at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg today to celebrate his life.
“The @markettheatre pays tribute to risen veteran actor Patrick Shai His contribution to the arts is monumental," wrote actor Zola Hashatsi on Instagram.
The former Rhythm City star said the late actor was a brother, a friend, and a father to those he has encountered. He continued to say, "The industry has truly lost a legend. The @markettheatre is hosting his memorial service this week. We request that ALL those who have personal notes and messages for this phenomenal thespian leave them in the comment section of this post. May his soul rest in eternal peace."
Patrick Shai passed away last week on Saturday. His lifeless body was reportedly found in a garage at his home.
A few days before his passing, Patrick received a lot of hate on social media after his video made rounds.
Several celebrities have taken to their social media platforms to share that they believe that social media backlash led to the actor's passing.
Actress Nomsa Buthelezi said trolls pushed the go button, "Ubaba 'Patrick Shai was insulted by people who thought they wanted to trend because they wanted to have the biggest likes...The most coldest people with no respect. He’s gone, congratulations.
“He may have been dealing with stuff in his life, but you pressed the go button. You pressed the push," she said in a video.
Holding back her tears, the actress said she was struggling to come to terms with his death, "I said I am not gonna cry when I do this Live...I can't express the pain that I felt when I heard of his passing... " I hope it’s going to haunt them and their generation... If it does not come for you in this lifetime, it will come for your children in the next. Continue commenting the way you want. You don't even have the decency to show remorse."
Taking to Instagram, media personality Somizi Mhlongo spoke about the passing of Patrick Shai, American actress and director Regina King's son, and Irish singer and songwriter Sinead O'Connor's son.
He said their passing has one thing in common, "It's the cause and the how. The three of them committed suicide and three of them are men and it reminded me about what I always speak about in terms of one, men really bottling stuff in a lot, about what people go through and we never knew," Somizi said.
Amapiano Vocalist Lady Du said she has also been bullied online, "I’m hurting for his family!!!! I’ve been through the pain of being cyberbullied, and it can take you to a level mentally you don’t even understand. I’ve watched how toxic people have become, how we now have human beings that are God so judgemental!!!
"I’m in sooo much pain because a legend that deserved to be put up on a stage and be given his flowers for his line of work ended up leaving this earth in a painful way!!!
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Image Cred: Instagram
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Image Cred: Instagram