Callie projected image of new SA
2008-02-16 14:49
Johannesburg - Actress Ashley Callie was a testament of unmistakable African talent, the Department of Arts and Culture said on Saturday.
"We were truly blessed to have a young, gifted, South African who stretched all the sinews in her body to reflect the ideals of a united, non-racial and non-sexist society... the ministry is deeply shocked and saddened," said Minister Pallo Jordan.
Callie died on Friday as a result of head injuries sustained in a car accident on the corner of 4th avenue and Tana road in Linden.
"The young Miss Callie was special because her life is a testament of the unmistakable African talent that has emerged in the post-apartheid society to capture and reflect the essence of change and transformation through the small screen
"Her rise to continent-wide recognition was essentially linked to the multi-award winning soapie, Isidingo which has established itself as the ultimate yardstick of a meaningful and relevant television production that is intuitively connected to the spirit of a new society."
Jordan said Callie was the sort of artist who was in the forefront of projecting a new image of the realities of SA, in a character that was true to herself rather than a particular group.
"There is very little doubt that Ms Callie has made a significant contribution to laying a solid foundation to the redefinition of indigenous SA television content... We hope that her family, friends, relatives and fans will allow her spirit to rest in peace."
- SAPA