Presley Chweneyagae was powerful, sharp, unapologetic, humorous, generous and spicy

News24

2 days ago

Mahlatsi Moleya
The celebrated actor died after struggling to breathe.
Chweneyagae made people connect with the Tsotsi character.
Veteran actor Israel Matseke-Zulu calls for normalising celebrating creatives while they are still alive.
Everyone was in a celebratory mood at the State Theatre in Pretoria on Thursday as family, fans and creatives celebrated the life of award-winning actor, Presley Chweneyagae.
His family said the actor died in the early hours of last Tuesday after struggling to breathe.
The memorial service was led by actor and friend Thato Molamu and actress Moshidi Motshegwa, who played his mother on The River, as MCs.
Today we are in Pretoria for the second memorial service of the late Tsotsi and The River actor, Presley Chweneyagae. The first memorial service was in North West on Tuesday. #presleychweneyagae pic.twitter.com/z95nh7lLdS
— Karisa (@MpumeeMagagula) June 5, 2025
Chweneyagae was just a 19-year-old drama student when he was recruited to join the cast of one of SA's biggest films, Tsotsi, which was released in December 2005.
The film went on to win an Oscar in 2006 for the best international feature film.
Chweneyagae acted alongside legends such as Terry Pheto, Kenneth Nkosi, Mothusi Magano, Thembi Nyandeni, Israel Matseke-Zulu and Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha, who had been on screen for a long time.
Some of the actors who spoke during the memorial service revealed that as much as Chweneyagae was celebrated for being in his first film, it was also their first time being part of a film, although they had been on television for longer than him.
Matseke-Zulu, Nkosi and Pheto praised the late The River star for being strong-willed and owning the film as young as he was, with only theatre experience.
Pheto described Chweneyagae as powerful, sharp, unapologetic, humorous and generous.
'He was quite young, hungry [for acting] and full of dreams. Yet, there he was; [he] carried the weight of the story with an intensity that left everyone [impressed]. His bravery catapulted him to immeasurable heights.
I don't say that lightly, but being part of Tsotsi opened doors that I never knew existed.
Terry Pheto
'Almost two decades later, I had the honour to work with him again on iNumber Number: Jozi Gold. This time, as a director-trainee and once again, he was the lead,' said the actress.
Nkosi said he met Chweneyagae on the Tsotsi set, which was also his first movie. He said at the time, his ego did not allow him to say that. He said the late Cobrizi actor never had any ego.
'He carried the whole story. I cannot imagine a 19-year-old having to sit and act in one with Jerry Mofokeng or Rapulatana Seiphemo like that. He was young and trusted himself and his instincts. At some point, people from Soweto said: 'tsotsis don't sound like that', but he came with his tsotsi [style] from Mafikeng,' said Nkosi.
Fellow creatives pay tribute to their late colleague, Presley Chweneyagae whose life is being celebrated today in Pretoria. #presleychweneyagae pic.twitter.com/KZ2lcinMRr
— Karisa (@MpumeeMagagula) June 5, 2025
The veteran actor said Chweneyagae made people connect with the Tsotsi character. He passed his condolences to the family and encouraged them to trust in God.
Another veteran, Matseke-Zulu, who led the Thuma Mina gospel song before his speech, said celebrating creatives while they were still alive must be normalised. He said festivals should be hosted to honour people who have done well in the world.
Phathutshedzo Makwarela, the co-owner of Tshedza Pictures, which is behind The River and Cobrizi, jokingly shared that Chweneyagae made up his lines most of the time.
He said the actor interpreted the scripts in ways they could not imagine.
Makwarela also shared that he met Chweneyagae at film school and the act was part of Tsotsi then years later, they worked together. Makwarela said when they were developing the script of The River, they struggled with finding the right person to play Cobra, until MultiChoice suggested Chweneyagae – and he fitted the character perfectly.
Tshedza Pictures co-owner, Phathutshedzo Makwarela finally answers the famous question: Does Cobrizi even have a script?
Makwarela shares that Chweneyagae would wing it most of the time.
#presleychweneyagae pic.twitter.com/Q0NJtqQtPg
— Karisa (@MpumeeMagagula) June 5, 2025
He said the Tshedza Pictures family had lost one of its children, adding that they would accept that the curtain had finally come down.
The late actor's life was celebrated with song and dance, with the Drama Theatre being filled to the brim. Some people had to watch the service from the screens inside the State Theatre.
Actors such as Oros Mampofu, Winnie Ntshaba, Warren Masemola, McDonald Ndou, Macks Papo, Rami Chuene and Dineo Langa came to pay their last respects.
Chweneyagae will be buried on Saturday. The service will be at the Akasia Community Hall in Pretoria from 8am. He will be laid to rest at the Zandfontein Cemetery.
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