Henry Cele was a South African actor and a lifetime soccer enthusiast. The popular actor was well known for portraying the role of Shaka KaSenghakoma, founder of the Zulu nation. While his rise to fame filled the screens in the movie roles he took in South Africa and America, he died a sad man.
The stories of our favorite celebrities dying lonely, sad, and broke is one of the tragedies of life. Henry Cele brought joy to fans around the world but at his death, the lights of the cameras were far away from him.
How did he project himself to the big screen, his life and death as well other unknown facts about his life are quite interesting.
Biography Of Henry Cele
Henry Mbongele Cele was born on 20 June 1941 in Kwamashu, Durban, South Africa. His clan name was Ndosi or Magaye and due to this, many people referred to him by his clan name. henry was 58 at the time of his death.
He was born during the Apartheid regime in South Africa. At the time, he worked hard to rise above the challenges of life.
Outside of having four sons from a first marriage, and having a second, marriage not much is known about his immediate family. His second marriage to Hollander lasted ten years but they did not have any children together.
See Also: 10 Most Famous And Successful African Models- How Much Are They Worth?
Henry Cele Rise And Fall
The South African actor made it to the limelight when he played the role of the Zulu warrior king, Shaka kaSenzangakhona in Shaka Zulu 1986. The television mini-series was directed by William C Faure for the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
Till his death, his Shaka role was always associated with him as he also played the same role the following year in a feature film. This time around, it featured Christopher Lee and Edward Fox while it was still directed by Faure.
To cap his personality with the legend, he played the role of Shaka fifteen years after the first one. Shaka Zulu: The Last warrior was another major hit with fans. The American Jet Magazine highlighted his powerful role in the Shaka Zulu mini-series.
Like all good things, they end at some point. His career started going downhill forcing Henry Cele to withdraw to his hometown. At the time of his death, he had finished shooting Bayeda Shaka.
The Death Of Henry Cele
After seeing the rooftops of movie success, he was a sad man at the time of his death in 2007. He was forced to relocate from his home in the suburbs of Glenmore to his hometown in KwaMashu.
While this may not mean much, could it be he was dealing with some of life’s challenges? Sources close to the actor claimed he was chained to his bed and was constantly drugged due to violent behaviors.
After battling with frail health for some time, Henry Cele died on 2 December 2007 at St Augustines’s hospital in Durban. The cause of his death is likely a result of the chest infections he was admitted for two weeks before his death.
His burial attracted the crowds just like his screen success had done in the past. He was laid to rest at Stellawood Cemetary in Durban.
6 Other Facts About Him
1. Henry Cele Was A Professional Soccer Player
Even before landing a major role in the movie industry, he was playing soccer as a professional player. He played for the South African Soccer League under Ace United in the 1960s.
Henry was a goalkeeper
After attaining movie success, he never stayed away from the pitch. He played for Lamontville Golden Arrows Football club. At the time of his death, he was coaching a professional club while also playing for Durity Club on Saturdays.
2. Henry Cele Wife And Children
The dates for his marriages are not known. Yet throughout his lifetime, he has been linked to two women.
First is Tozi Duma whom he had four children. One of his sons is named Khumbalani Cele. Their marriage with Duma lasted 6 years before they divorced.
He met his second wife, an English girl, Jennifer Holland while he was touring Europe. Their love blossomed and lasted for ten years. It was death that separated them.
3. Black Cat Cele
The black cat is an endearing nickname for one of the great football goalkeepers. He was first a professional soccer player even before he started acting in films.
At his death, he was deeply involved with the sport. Fans and those who were close to him often call him the Black cat as a result of his prowess as a goalkeeper.
4. Adoption Of His Appearance To Represent Shaka Zulu
For any Zulu person worth their salt, Shaka Zulu is a cornerstone of their history. It is not surprising to find memorials of the great king.
A statue of him can be seen at Camden market. Interestingly his facial features take after the appearance of Henry Cele.
Henry’s professional life as an actor never went far from being seen as Shaka off the screen.
His most popular look in depicting Shaka is the lean and menacing face combined with a deep guttural voice.
5. Henry Cele Movies
Though he has mostly been associated with his role as Shaka Zulu, he has been cast in many movies in a career spanning many decades.
He was cast in many movie roles either as a major or minor character.
His movie credits include;
Shaka Zulu
Bush Shrink
Blind justice
Rage To Kill
The Last Samurai
Rage to Kill
Schweitzer
The Ghost and The Darkness
Curse III: Blood Sacrifice
Ipi Tombi
Shaka Zulu: The Last Warrior among many others.
He won the Golden Globe Plumes award.
6. His Wife Was Against His Funeral Being Public
With his family plunged into mourning, the issue of his funeral service became a problem between his ex-wife and the current.
Holland wanted the funeral to be attended by only close family members but his ex-wife and sons felt their father was a people person who would want people at his funeral.
Discussion about this post