27-05-2025
Award-winning Tsotsi and The River star Presley Chweneyagae dies aged 40
Multi-award-winning actor Presley Chweneyagae, known to viewers as Cobra on The River and recently in the spin-off Cobrizzi, has died at age 40.
Chweneyagae rose to international prominence with his starring role in Tsotsi, which won the Academy Award for Foreign Language Film.
The Mafikeng-born performer leaves an impressive legacy spanning stage and screen, with numerous accolades.
Acclaimed South African actor Presley Chweneyagae, best known for his portrayal of Cobra on 1Magic's The River, has died aged 40.
Chweneyagae's death was confirmed by a statement issued by his management MLA on behalf of his family.
'It is with profound sadness that we confirm the untimely passing of one of South Africa's most gifted and beloved actors, Presley Chweneyagae, at the age of 40,' the statement reads.
The actor most recently appeared in Cobrizzi, the Mzansi Magic spin-off of The River.
The Mahikeng-born performer rose to international prominence with his starring role in the 2005 film Tsotsi, which captured the Academy Award for Foreign Language Film at the 78th Academy Awards.
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His powerful performance in the title role earned him the Black Movie Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, establishing him as one of South Africa's most compelling acting talents.
His agency added: 'Presley was a longtime and cherished member of the MLA family - more than a client, he was a friend, a mentor to many, a beacon of creativity and perseverance. His passion for empowering the next generation of artists will remain an integral part of his legacy.
'We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, children, extended family, colleagues, and all who knew and loved him. While we grieve the immense loss of a remarkable talent, we celebrate the light he brought to the world.'
Born on 19 October 1984 in what is now the North West province, Chweneyagae discovered his passion for acting early, beginning drama classes at just 10 years old at the North West Arts Council (now known as The Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation).
His extensive stage career included performances in numerous productions, including Hamlet (playing the title role), Julius Caesar (as Mark Anthony), A Midsummer Night's Dream (as Bottom and Puck), and Dikeledi, an adaptation of the Greek tragedy Electra.
His versatility on stage provided a strong foundation for his later screen success.
In addition to his groundbreaking work in Tsotsi, Chweneyagae collected significant accolades throughout his career, including two Golden Awards – one for Best Actor in a Feature Film for Tsotsi and another for Best Actor in a Telenovela for his work in The River, where his portrayal of the complex character Cobra resonated deeply with South African audiences.
Beyond television and film, the versatile performer appeared in commercial work, including MTN advertisements, and participated in The National Land Act Exhibition and Beautiful Things.
Throughout his three-decade career, Chweneyagae demonstrated remarkable range and depth as a performer, transitioning seamlessly between stage and screen while maintaining a distinctive presence that captivated audiences across different media.
This is a developing story, with further details regarding the circumstances of his passing yet to be released.
