A final standing ovation for Presley Chweneyagaye: Farewell to a cultural giant

IOL News

2 days ago

Presley Chweneyagaye, the beloved actor, writer, cultural architect and icon of South African stage and screen, was honoured with a stirring memorial service on June 5th at the South African State Theatre, in a sendoff befitting a legend.
They came in their thousands — artists, politicians, friends, fans, and fellow dreamers — to say goodbye to a man who never stopped dreaming out loud.
Presley Chweneyagaye, the beloved actor, writer, cultural architect and icon of South African stage and screen, was honoured with a stirring memorial service on June 5th at the South African State Theatre, in a sendoff befitting a legend.
The theatre — a place Presley knew as home — overflowed with people from all walks of life. Traffic swelled around the venue, parking lots brimming, queues snaking along the pavement as the faithful waited to get in. Inside, every corner pulsed with his presence. Screens were set up in overflow stations across the building, and still, hundreds stood outside, clinging to the hope of catching a glimpse or a note of the tribute inside.
At precisely 11:50 a.m. — fifty minutes later than scheduled due to the immense turnout — the memorial began with the soaring voices of the Tshwane Gospel Choir. Their opening hymn lifted the ceiling and spirits alike, setting a tone of joy in remembrance.
Dr Sibongiseni Mkhize, CEO of the South African State Theatre, welcomed the crowd with a heartfelt address. As he spoke, the big screen on stage flickered to life, replaying iconic moments from Presley's career. From Silent Voice, his lines echoed through the hall: 'There is a time to be born, and a time to die... to everything there is a season.' His voice — familiar, powerful, intimate — moved many to tears.
A specially designed burner stood on stage bearing his image, while throughout the theatre, every screen played highlights of his remarkable life and work. From his earliest performances to his Oscar-winning moments, including the unforgettable image of him holding his award beside Nelson Mandela, the visuals reminded all present of the depth of his artistry and the breadth of his impact.
Among the many dignitaries in attendance was Gauteng Executive Director Mr Shane Maja, seated alongside the MEC and other public figures. Their presence, together with celebrities, artists, and community members, reflected the breadth of Presley's impact, not just in the entertainment industry but across the country's cultural and social landscape.
Among the speakers were stars and colleagues who shared personal anecdotes — stories that painted Presley as not just an actor, but a cultural alchemist. Sdumo Mtshali recalled working with Presley on Number Number, calling him 'a quiet fire, always burning, always shaping the story.'
Theri Pheto recounted a moment with a foreign journalist who questioned Presley's name. With characteristic wit, Presley had replied: 'If Hollywood can say Schwarzenegger, they can say Chweneyagaye.'
Music filled the theatre, not as background, but as celebration. GP MaOrange brought the house down with Thuma Mina, turning the memorial into a soulful stage show. NTLAKS's rendition of Golokile Golokile had the crowd on their feet, dancing through their tears. Phatha Phatha blessed the gathering with uplifting rhythms, while Modleko's drums gave a heartbeat to the crowd's claps and chants.
Presley wasn't only a performer. He was a creator, a visionary. He co-wrote the acclaimed Relativity with Paul Grootboom, directed original works, and even forged a unique linguistic world that bled from his scripts into South African slang — words like bevs, chawist, slipist, and playful renamings like Makabaza for Kabelo. To his friends, he was Tobetsa — a nod to the Setswana meaning of press — a perfect play on his nickname Pres.
People captured every second. Phones held high, tears streaming, voices raised. Laughter echoed. So did mourning. But above all, love. It was the last curtain call for a man whose life was a standing ovation in itself.
Presley Chweneyagaye took his final bow surrounded by the art, the people, and the spirit that defined his journey. And oh, what a show it was.
Presley, your stage was the world. And the world clapped.
Ngomane PhD Candidate | University of the WitwatersrandTheatre Practitioner | Researcher | Dramaturge