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IOL News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Presley Chweneyagae's funeral: Warren Masemola and 'The River' cast honour the iconic actor
Award-winning actor Presley Chweneyagae's funeral was held at the Akasia Community Hall on Saturday. Image: X Beloved actor Presley Chweneyagae was given a heartfelt send-off during his funeral service which took place in Pretoria on Saturday, June 7. Following a memorial service in his home town of Mahikeng in the North West, on Tuesday, June 5 and a second one at The South African State Theatre, the ceremony took place at the Akasia Community Hall before he was laid to rest at the Zandfontein Cemetery. The actor, who rose to fame in the Academy Award-winning film, "Tsotsi", died on May 27 at the age of 40 of natural causes after sudden respiratory complications. He was also renowned for his theatre work, for playing the iconic Thuso 'Cobra' Mokoena on 'The River' and his role in the Nelson Mandela biopic 'Long Walk to Freedom.' Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The Oscar-winner's funeral was attended by scores of mourners, including his wife and children, other family members, friends, industry colleagues, government officials and other distinguished guests. Actress Rami Chune presided over the proceedings while other stars who were in attendence included Dr Jerry Mofokeng, Warren Masemola and Oros Mampofu. Meanwhile, several of Chweneyagae's 'The River' co stars, such as Thembinkosi Mthembu and Winnie Mashaba, were also at the funeral. One of the most poignant moments of the ceremony was when Chweneyagae's wife, Charlaine Kirk as well as their sons, Preston and Aston delivered their tributes to him through a video feed which was played at the funeral. Kirk explained how she met the actor when she arrived from Swaziland to Pretoria in 2007 to study. 'He was a funny, loving guy and he very ambitious,' she said in the video. 'He was also a soft and gentle man who was very humble and respectful.' Kirk also descibed her husband's work ethic as 'unmatched.' 'He took his craft seriously and he have it everything.' 'On his bad days, he still used to make the whole country laugh.' She added: 'He was also a risk taker who taught me to push for the things that I want.' Kirk also described Chweneyagae as a man who 'loved his fans and community.' 'Presley really loved the people around him, not just his family and friends, he just loved people across the board.' Meanwhile, in a separate part of the video tribute, his sons, who could only be heard through audio, spoke of the best memories they had with their father, included how they loved listening to music together and how theey enjoying the times when he would drop them off at school. They also reflected on Chweneyagae's many achievements, declaring how proud they are of their father. Another powerful moment at the ceremony was when Masemola delivered a powerful speech to his dear friend and co-star, who he worked with on 'The Number.' Warren Masemola, who was a close friend to Presley Chweneyagae, speaking on stage during the late actor's funeral. Image: X The renowned 'Scandal!' star, together with Chweneyagae's colleugues from 'The River' and other entertainment industry figures, formed a guard of honour for the acting icon. Many of them were emotional as they stood on stage, embracing eachother as they sang along to the melodic sounds of the choir. In tears, he then took to the stage to describe his deep friendship with Chweneyagae and how he is still struggling to cope with his death. 'Presley and I fought a lot . I don't understand people who don't fight with their friends or the people they claim their love,' he said. 'We fought about love, life, work, professionalism, children, wives, family, we just fought all of the time but he was my friend and we loved each other a lot.' Meanwhile, Bonga Vilakazi, the producer of 'The River' also delivered a moving speech at the funeral. 'I am representing family, not born out of blood but of long days, of shared dreams and stories by the passionate and talented people from the cast and crew of 'The River.' 'When you spend 12 hour days together, five to six days a week for almost a decade, you become a family. You learn people's habits, their moods their silences and you celebrate their wins and you are there for each other in times of sorrow.' He added: 'I struggled to find the words for today because how do you sum up someone as great as Presley? He was a layered man, who has made enormous contributions. There was dazzling and uncontainable light within him but there were shadows too.' 'I don't say that to focus on the shadows but as a way to reflect the fullness of his humanity.' 'Presley was a man who felt things deeply, who who went through things that people often overlook but he always showed up and he still gave us his art, his generosity, his humour and his friendship.' Vilakazi also spoke of Chweneyagae's mischievousness and how he would befriend the drivers. The producer also adressed his family. 'To Presley's family, you love Presley and he loved you deeply. You are the reason he got through dark moments. 'Without you, we would have never have had the privilege of loving the man behind the magic. 'To his kids, may you always know your father was a rare soul and one of the greatest to ever do it.' Vilakazi concluded: 'May Presley's legacy not only be through re-runs of his shows but may we also honour through the loyalties that he so rich deserved so that his loved ones can carry on a dignity. Rest in peace Presley, we will never forget you.'
IOL News
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Anant Singh's long walk to the studio
South African filmmaker, Anant Singh. Image: File. THERE are probably very few in our country today who know more about Hollywood than Durban businessman and movie mogul Anant Singh. He's been there, done it all and he's got the T-shirt. As producer of more than 80 films since 1984 - including classics like Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom and Cry The Beloved Country - Singh has won a host of international awards and today rubs shoulders with such stars as Idris Elba, Whoopi Goldberg, James Earl Jones and Hillary Swank. Last week, we got a chance to meet the new Anant Singh - the consummate actor. My guess is that he picked up these new skills through his close association with such Hollywood a-listers. Delivering an Oscar-worthy performance before a group of ANC big wigs in Durban, he fought desperately to save his R7.5b film studio project on the beachfront. It was not his fault, he pleaded, that this long delayed city attraction had not got off the ground despite being first mooted some 23 years ago. Showing dramatic emotional intensity, he pointed an accusatory finger at the eThekwini Municipality, claiming they had failed to provide water and electricity to the old Natal Command property. There were gasps of exasperation from his audience as he complained the municipality had unfairly raised the property valuation from its original R71 m to a whopping R1b, meaning he would now have to pay much more in rates. And then, as tears appeared to roll down his cheeks, he uttered this dramatic appeal: "I think I am being sabotaged by politicians and administrators of the city. However, I do not know for what reasons they do this to me." Finally, his parting plea to his ANC comrades: "I know we have been talking and talking but can we walk the talk now?" The audience clapped in enthusiastic response, with ANC provincial task team convenor Jeff Radebe expressing shock at the long delays and promising an investigation. I have no idea whether Singh is contemplating a change to his career, but his commanding performance last week has certainly helped re-ignite hopes that Durban will get its first movie studio soon. To be fair to the municipality, this is a rather complicated contractual issue and its officials have undertaken to respond to Singh's claims once they've received legal advice. So, it looks like Durbanites will just have to wait and see. I'm hopeful, just as long as it doesn't take another 23 years to materialise. Donald Trump's karma? Hands up all those who believe South Africa is a happy country. I certainly believe that, generally speaking, we are a happy people - despite our many challenges of economic instability, load shedding, water cuts and high crime and corruption levels. And we tend to express this happiness as well as our spirit of resilience in our instinctive behaviour. Where else in the world do you find people who break out into song and dance whatever the occasion - whether we are protesting, in mourning, celebrating, and even in the midst of political campaigning? Mzanzis love talking with their hips, young and old, including our president, Cyril Ramaphosa who's often seen swaying to the strains of popular freedom songs as if to dance his troubles away. It therefore comes as disappointing news that South Africa appears to have slipped from 83rd to 95th place in the recently published World Happiness Report, which evaluates the quality of life of people across the globe. Donald Trump Image: Kamil Krzaczynski / AFP As expected, European countries - Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and the Netherlands - took up the top 5 spots. I often wonder what they've got that we haven't? It was also surprising to see Israel finish in the top 10. What are they so happy about? Another interesting ranking was that of the United States which finished at No. 24, its lowest since the inauguration of the Happiness Report some 13 years ago. I wouldn't blame some South Africans for seeing this as president Donald Trump's karma especially after his vindictive and ill-informed campaign to cut aid funding to our country and spreading untruths about SA persecuting white farmers. What's in a person's name? Many people believe your name is part of who you are. It's crucial to your personal identity and embodies one's individuality and persona. Others however think names are over-rated. They are nothing more than a way of telling one person from another. To find out more, I've been delving into the history and origin of my own name in recent weeks and made some interesting discoveries - not all complimentary. For instance, I discovered - to my eternal shame - that when read backwards, my name spells SINNED. I later learnt that the name originates from Dionysis, the Greek god of wine and revelry - which, I must confess, sounds a lot closer to the truth. But the most astonishing revelation came when I began studying the history of legendary figures with the same or names similar to mine and learned about St Denis, the third century Christian martyr and patron saint of France. According to legend, on the day he was beheaded for his religious beliefs, his body was seen to rise and to gather up his head in his own hands as if he was still alive, carrying it for several miles to his burial site. That probably accounts for why so many of my friends complain I lose my head too often. And when I do, I get carried away with myself. Dennis Pather Image: Supplied Dennis Pather is a retired newspaper editor, author and columnist. Email him at kaydenpather@ From newsroom gofer to award-winning editor, join South African media legend Dennis Pather on a fascinating trip down memory lane in his captivating memoir, Copy Boy. This heart-warming journey takes you inside the newsroom, filled with laughter, hard-earned wisdom, and the power of family. As a special offer, readers of POST can now get a copy of Copy Boy, for just R100. WhatsApp 078 593 0585 for delivery details or 083 452 2831 for direct collection. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. THE POST
