Q. What was Henry Cele's family life like?
A. He was raised by his grandmother Emma in a rural area on the South Coast of Durban, South Africa as he was abandoned as a baby. Emma was his life and he hers. A day never passed without him thinking of her.
Jenny Hollander (Jun 09, 2008)
Q. Did Henry Cele have siblings? Were they close?
A. Yes. No they were not.
Nicole (Oct 23, 2008)
Q. Did Henry Cele have a favorite or memorable family story?
A. As a young boy in Durban city, selling fruit, a lady came up to him and asked him if he knew who she was, He said he cried and said "I think you are my mother". She was and showed him a watch that his grandmother Emma had given to her many years before. He went home to his grandmother, elated to tell her that he had met his mother.
Jenny Hollander (Jun 09, 2008)
Q. What was Henry Cele's first job? Did he/she like it?
A. I am saddened to belatedly learn of the death of Mr. Henry Cele. I saw Shaka Zulu by accident over 20 years ago on an out of state PBS station. The powers that be would not air the miniseries on American network television. While the series was very good Mr. Cele was amazing. If ever a man was a greater physical incarnation of Black Male Masculinity, I have never seen him. It's a sad testiment to the eurocentric bias of Hollywood that he was not able to pursue an acting career in the states. Mr. Cele in death as in life you are irrepressible. Phil Rhode Island, USA
Phil Bennett (Apr 26, 2008)
A. What was his latest movie project that he worked on and when will it be released?
Deborah Davis (Oct 24, 2008)
Q. What did Henry Cele dream of doing with his/her life?
Q. If Henry Cele could have any job, what do you think he/she could have done?
Q. What do you think would have been a good/alternative job for Henry Cele?
Q. Did Henry Cele have a philosophy on life? Something he/she always said?
A. Only mountains never meet when people asked if they would see him or meet again.
Jenny Hollander (Jun 09, 2008)
Q. What were Henry Cele's religious or spiritual beliefs?
A. Henry attended church as often as he could and importantly as a community leader he always tried to attend funerals of people in his community. Whomever they were.
Jenny Hollander (Jun 09, 2008)
Q. Was Henry Cele athletic? Attend sports games?
A. He was known for his athleticism and soccer was his great passion. However he enjoyed all sports and could converse about every sport and major event.
Jenny Hollander (Jun 09, 2008)
Q. Did Henry Cele enjoy the arts – painting, writing, or music?
A. He enjoyed the arts enormously. Was always pleased when someone succeeded in their chosen field. He loved to write and was passionate about music. He had a huge collection of music which is cherished. His favourite artist was Ray Charles and one of his favourite songs was the Ol Man River which was played at his memorial service in the Durban City Hall.
Jenny Hollander (Jun 09, 2008)
Q. Was Henry Cele an avid collector? Any quirky hobbies?
A. He had an old mercedes benz which he loved and his mechanic despaired of him ever retiring it.
It caused them both headaches. He often would say that he didnt know if the mechanic was a bad mechanic or whether the car was in bad shape?
Jenny Hollander (Jun 09, 2008)
Q. Describe the perfect day for Henry Cele?
A. Henry Cele was certainly a special person with dignity radiating on his face, who had captured millions of people while he was playing Shaka's great roles. May he rest in peace ...
Gemma Palievici (Apr 26, 2008)
A. Henry was a committed community worker. He coached numerous young boys in soccer as he had been a 'famous' goal keeper before becoming an actor. His life was dedicated to his community and aside from soccer coaching he also trained young people in drama. His day would start with his own excercise routine either weights or running, breakfast of maize 'mielie meal' porridge and school soccer coaching in the mornings. Lunch would be with Jenny or 'house husband' matters or perhaps reading a script and then an afternoon soccer coaching session and then a run in the evenings and then dinner and more reading. He was a man who liked being home since he was always very busy with community commitments.
Jenny Hollander (Jun 09, 2008)
Q. Was Henry Cele a romantic?
A. When I worked away I often received love 'faxes'.
He called me his angel....Truly the gentle giant
Jenny Hollander (Jun 09, 2008)
Q. What were some of Henry Cele's favorite foods?
A. Having grown up amongst the Indian community in Durban he loved curries. He also loved home baked cakes and his all time favourite was a cherry coconut cake that was even couriered to him in Morrocco when he was away filming Shaka, The Citadel.
Jenny Hollander (Jun 09, 2008)
Q. What were Henry Cele's favorite travel destinations?
Q. Did Henry Cele visit museums when traveling? Try the cuisine?
A. Yes, he tried to get to know as much as he could about any place he visited. He would try the local cuisine.
Jenny Hollander (Jun 09, 2008)
Q. Where did Henry Cele dream of traveling?
A. I am South African born, but raised in Perth, Western Australia (left due to apartheid) we had planned to spend time in Perth and attend the wedding of my sister here this January. Sadly Henry took ill and his greatest regret was that he couldnt come and spend time with the family here in Perth.
Jenny Hollander (Jun 09, 2008)
Q. Did Henry Cele feel at home in another country?
A. I think that he felt comfortable while he was working in other country, but like they say, there's no place like home.
D. Davis (Aug 13, 2008)
Q. In what other country could you imagine Henry Cele living?
A. USA.. of course in the South...where the climate is similar to his birthplace!
Duchess Williams (Jun 04, 2009)
