Henry Cele

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Henry Cele
Born
Henry Mbongeni Cele

(1941-06-20)20 June 1941
Durban, South Africa
Died2 December 2007(2007-12-02) (aged 66)
Durban, South Africa
Occupation(s)Actor, footballer, football coach, and manager

Henry Cele (Zulu pronunciation: [hɛnˈri ˈkǀɛːle]) (20 June 1941 – 2 December 2007[1]) was a South African football player and actor. In the 1960s Cele became a goal keeper for the South African Soccer League and played the sport until 1978. In 1981, he was asked to audition for the role of the Zulu Warrior King Shaka kaSenzangakhona on stage for a production that played for a year. For the 1986 television miniseries Shaka Zulu, he reprised the role and gained significant fame worldwide.

Following this success, he appeared in roles in films and television. In 2001, he returned to the role of Shaka for the television movie Shaka Zulu: The Last Great Warrior 15 years after the original. In 2007, Cele died after spending two weeks in the hospital due to a chest infection.

Early life[edit]

On 20 June 1941, Cele was born in KwaMashu, Durban, South Africa. Within his family, he was referred to by his clan name Ndosi (Bavela KwaMthetwa), or Magaye.[2]

Cele was raised by his grandmother, at the age of 16 due to financial problems he had to leave school and turned to sports.[3]

Career[edit]

As an athlete[edit]

Cele, nicknamed "Black Cat" for his prowess as a goalkeeper, played for Aces United in the old South African Soccer League (SASL) in the 1960s.[4] He also played for Lamontville Golden Arrows f.c soccer team in Lamontville Township and coached a professional soccer club in South Africa until his death. On Saturdays, he played for Durity Football Club in the Commercial Football League in Durban.[2]

In 1978, Cele felt he was he was too old to and retired from the sport, hence he started coaching and managing players.[3]

As an actor[edit]

Statue of Shaka at Camden Market, obviously based facially on Cele's portrayal.

In November 1981, Cele was approached to audition to play the role Shaka, a Zulu King who led an army against the British empire in 1800s,[5] in the stage production "Shaka" which ran for a year.[3]

In 1986, the five episodes of the ten hours miniseries Shaka Zulu premiered. Director Bill Faure who saw him in the stage production suggested that he auditioned.[3] Cele beat out 4000 individual who also auditioned.[6]

In 1988, Cele acted in David Winters's Rage to Kill,[7] and Freedom Fighters.[8]

In 1990, Cele acted in Curse III: Blood Sacrifice.[9]

In 1996, Cele acted in Stephen Hopkins's The Ghost and the Darkness.[10]

Cele appeared again in 2001 as Shaka in the 3-hour 2-part miniseries, called Shaka Zulu: The Citadel. Set in winter 1827. It was also released in a 2-hour telemovie version called Shaka Zulu: The Last Great Warrior.

Later years and death[edit]

In later years, Cele moved from his suburban home in Glenmore, south of Durban, and returned to his hometown in KwaMashu township.[11]

Cele died in Durban on 2 December 2007, after two weeks in hospital due to a chest infection.[12] It was reported by News24, that in his final weeks he became aggressive with the other patients and staff of the St Augustine's Hospital.[11] He is buried at the Stellawood Cemetery in Durban eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Personal[edit]

Cele was married to Jenny Hollander. He had four children from a previous marriage.[12]

Filmography[edit]

  • Bush Shrink (1988), Katimbilo
  • Blind Justice (1988), Kamisu
  • Rage to Kill (1988), Wally Arn
  • Freedom Fighters (1988), Jaunde
  • The Last Samurai (1988), General Zohani
  • Shaka Zulu (1986-1989), Shaka - TV mini-series, episodes 1-10
  • In the Name of Blood (1989), Pheto
  • The Tangent Affair (1989), B.J. Rickson
  • Schweitzer (1990), Oganga
  • The Rutanga Tapes (1990), Samaani
  • Killer Instinct (1990), Samaani
  • Curse III: Blood Sacrifice (1990), Mletch
  • Point of Impact (1990), Titus
  • Sweating Bullets (1990), Mosoeu
  • Deal of a Lifetime (1990), Mosoeu
  • Ipi Tombi (1990), Duke
  • The Ghost and the Darkness (1996), Mahina
  • Shaka Zulu: The Last Great Warrior (2001), Shaka Zulu[13]

Awards[edit]

  • Golden Plumes Award

References[edit]

  1. ^ "HENRY CELE Remembered for his portrayal of Zulu Warrior". Chattanooga News Chronicle. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Henry "Black Cat" Cele | South African History Online". www.sahistory.org.za. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d "Zulu king focus on miniseries". The Daily Oklahoman: Television News: 4. 7 December 1986.
  4. ^ [1]; [2] Black Cat Brilliant: Images and captions, Drum Social Histories Archive
  5. ^ "South African Star". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 3 November 1986. p. 57.
  6. ^ Keys, Laurinda (17 October 1986). "S. African miniseries depicts life of Zulu king". The Recorder: 9.
  7. ^ "Rage to Kill". www.tcm.com. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Freedom Fighter". www.tcm.com. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  9. ^ "Curse III: Blood Sacrifice". www.tcm.com. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  10. ^ "The Ghost and the Darkness". www.tcm.com. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  11. ^ a b Zulu, Mandla; Motsepe, Cecil (5 November 2007). "Henry Cele died 'an angry man'". News24. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  12. ^ a b Jager, Christelle De (7 November 2007). "Henry Cele, 58, actor". Variety. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  13. ^ "Watch Shaka Zulu: The Last Great Warrior (2001)", OVGuide

External links[edit]

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