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The South African
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
BREAKING: Actor Presley Chweneyagae has passed away
South Africans are in shock following the sudden and untimely passing of seasoned actor Presley Chweneyagae. The Cobrizzi star died at the age of 40, and details surrounding his cause of death are sketchy. Presley Chweneyagae, best known for his role as Cobra on The River and its spin-off Cobrizzi , has passed away. His management company, MLA, released a statement this morning on behalf of his family, announcing his passing. 'It is with deep sorrow that we confirm the untimely passing of one of South Africa's most talented and beloved actors, Presley Chweneyagae, at the age of 40,' the statement reads. 'Presley was a longtime and cherished member of the MLA family — more than just a client, he was a friend, a mentor to many, and a beacon of creativity and perseverance. His passion for empowering the next generation of artists will forever be a key part of his legacy,' the statement continues. The company said that details about memorial services will be announced at a later stage. Presley Chweneyagae was a force to be reckoned with in the South African acting industry. His career began at age 10 through drama classes at the North West Arts Council. He gained international fame with his lead role in Tsotsi (2005). Consequently, South Africa won its first Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Since then, he starred in theatre, film, and TV, including Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and The River . On stage, he delivered unforgettable performances in classics like Hamlet , Julius Caesar , and A Midsummer Night's Dream , among many others. This is a developing story; details surrounding his cause of death have yet to be revealed. SEND YOUR MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE AND TRIBUTES HERE Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
News24
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
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. Getty 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.
