Latest news with #Mandela:LongWalktoFreedom
IOL News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Thabiso Ramotshela remembers his on-screen dad, Presley Chweneyagae: memorial and funeral plans revealed
Actor Thabiso Ramotshela mourns the loss of Presley Chweneyagae. Image: Instagram Actor Thabiso Ramotshela is mourning the loss of his on-screen father, Presley Chweneyagae, who played Thuso 'Cobra' Mokoena in the once-popular Mzansi Magic telenovela, 'The River'. Ramotshela, who portrayed Cobra's son Morena Mokoena in the show, paid a heartfelt tribute to his on-screen father through a TikTok video. The emotional clip showcased moments from their time on set, Ramotshela captioned it with a touching message: 'I don't even know where to start. Goodbye pops. I love you and will see you soon.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The talented actor's notable roles extend beyond 'The River', with standout performances in 'Tsotsi', which won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006, and 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom'. He also starred as a police officer in 'iNumber Number' alongside S'dumo Mtshali, cementing his status as a household name. His recent role as Thuso 'Cobra' Mokoena in 'Cobrizi', a spin-off from the award-winning series 'The River', also showcased his versatility as an actor. Chweneyagae died on Tuesday, May 27, at the age of 40 due to natural causes. According to the family spokesperson, Mzwakhe Sigudla, Chweneyagae's death was due to complications related to breathing. Despite the efforts of paramedics who were called to his residence, the actor did not make it and succumbed to death, with his passing being confirmed by his talent management, Moonyeenn Lee & Associates (MLA). Additionally, the family spokesperson, Mzwakhe Sigudla, spoke to the media, sharing funeral and memorial service details outside Chweneyagae's home in Pretoria. He added that there will be two memorial services held next week to celebrate the talented actor's life. The first memorial service will take place in Mahikeng on Tuesday, June 3, followed by a second one in Pretoria on Thursday, June 5. The family spokesperson also shared that Chweneyagae's funeral will be on Saturday, June 7, with the venue still to be confirmed.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Presley Chweneyagae's family confirms natural causes behind his passing
Presley Chweneyagae was an actor and director, known for his work on "Tsotsi", "The River" and "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom". Sigudla added that paramedics were called to his residence after he struggled to breathe, and the family is grateful for their professionalism. Unfortunately, it was too late. Family spokesperson Mzwakhe Sigudla clarified to the media that the actor's death was natural, stating, "We want to put the record straight that it was a natural death as far as we are concerned. The family of the late actor Presley Chweneyagae informed the media that he died due to natural causes, with no suspicion of foul play. The talented actor became a household name for his work in the critically acclaimed film "Tsotsi," which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006, as well as in "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom". Friends and family of the award-winning actor have gathered outside his house in Pretoria North following the announcement of his death. "The River" creator Phathutshedza Makwarela and thespian John Kani were seen at the actor's home. Makwarela speaking to media comforted the actor's fans, praising his immense talent. He described the actor as being full of love to every single person, how he would tease and have a nickname for everyone. "To be in his presence was to experience love. The hours were long, and he was not as jovial as you might think Cobrizi was sometimes, he would be very quiet before shooting and sometimes you would think he wouldn't be able to do those things but as soon as the camera starts shooting the talent and magic comes alive." Actor Ontshiametse Molekoa, who starred with the actor on "The River" speaking to media shared how he last saw the actor a month ago and he was looking healthy. "He was my role model, father, someone I would go to for advice on a lot of things I met him when I was nine years old, he took me to my first drama class. He is everything to me, I can't even think of my life without having a leader. It hits hard." Heartfelt condolences have poured in following the actor's death, his 'Tsots' co-star Terry Pheto who has not posted on her Instagram feed since 2022, paid tribute to the actor in a post.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Remembering Presley Chweneyagae: Tributes from Terry Pheto and Tshedza Pictures
South Africa Mourns 'Tsotsi' Star Presley Chweneyagae: Tributes Pour In for the Late Actor at 40 The talented actor became a household name for his work in the critically acclaimed film "Tsotsi," which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006, as well as in "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom". Heartfelt condolences have poured in following the death of South African actor Presley Chweneyagae . Chweneyagae's 'Tsotsi' co-star Terry Pheto who has not posted on her Instagram feed since 2022, paid tribute to the actor in a post. 'I'm shocked and saddened by the news of Presley's sudden passing. My heart goes out to his family and the rest of our friends and colleagues in the film industry. 'We shared an unforgettable moment when we won the Oscar. It's a moment I will forever cherish. May his soul rest in peace. 💔' His role as Cobra on 'The River' transformed him into a TV icon, a cultural phenomenon. 'Through characters like Cobra on The River, and most recently on Mzansi Magic's Cobrizi, he didn't just entertain, he made us laugh, made us care, and helped us understand the people behind the stories. 'His work brought heart and humanity to every role,' said Nomsa Philiso, CEO of General Entertainment at MultiChoice.
Eyewitness News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Eyewitness News
'Actor who was able to find the truth of the moment': Veteran Jerry Mofokeng pays tribute to Presley Chweneyagae
Paula Luckhoff 27 May 2025 | 14:44 John Perlman 702 Drive with John Perlman Presley Chweneyagae Presley Chweneyagae, Instagram 702's John Perlman is joined by veteran South African actor Jerry Mofokeng. South Africa and the performing arts world is mourning the death of award-winning actor Presley Chweneyagae at the age of 40. Chweneyagae rose to international fame with his starring role in the 2005 film Tsotsi , which won South Africa's first ever Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. He made a lasting impression with his portrayal of young gangster who regains his humanity when he bonds with a stolen baby. Chweneyagae's decades-long career spanned theatre, television, and film, with agency MLA highlighting his standout performances in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013) and The River (2018). John Perlman talks to veteran actor Jerry Mofokeng, himself a star himself of Tsots i. Mofokeng remembers how the late casting agent Moonyeenn Lee went off the books to find young talent for the film. "She even went to youth groups and so on because she wanted a particular quality and texture of actor, and that's how she came up with Terry Pheto and Presley Chweneyagae." Jerry Mofokeng, Veteran Actor "Getting on to that set I found a certain freshness, but a grounded freshness, because Aubrey Sekhabi (State Theatre district director) had done a very good job in training these young actors in Mafikeng in the theatre." Jerry Mofokeng, Veteran Actor Mofokeng acknowledges his prejudice towards the 'young tigers' who get onto the screen without cutting their teeth in theatre 'where you're naked and no\body says cut'. "But the simplicity of Chweneyagae's acting is what got him the fame, the accolades... because often we say as directors 'don't act, let's find the truth of the moment' and THAT is what he was able to do." Jerry Mofokeng, Veteran Actor "And as much as he was guite into film and television, he kept coming back into the theatre to refresh the craft. For me, that's what made him to be the quality of actor that he was." Jerry Mofokeng, Veteran Actor Tributes on social media have described Presley Chweneyagae as a cinematic icson and as a giant in the world of entertainment. We bid farewell to Presley Chweneyagae, a giant in the world of entertainment. 🎬 His legacy will live on in our hearts. 🕊️ 🎭📺 #RIPPresleyChweneyagae — DStv (@DStv) May 27, 2025 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Terry Pheto (@terrypheto) The African National Congress joins the nation and the creative arts community in mourning the untimely passing of Presley Chweneyagae, a distinguished actor whose work transcended the stage and screen to touch the hearts and minds of millions. May his soul rest in peace, and… — ANC - African National Congress (@MYANC) May 27, 2025 SA mourns the death of Tsotsi actor, Presley Chweneyagae — @The Guardian (@ObakengMaje) May 27, 2025
France 24
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- France 24
S.Africa's 'Tsotsi' star Presley Chweneyagae dies
Chweneyagae gained international fame in 2006 when the movie set in the criminal underworld of Johannesburg's sprawling township of Soweto scooped the best foreign film award. "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 MLASA artist agency said in a statement on its website. It did not give the date or cause of death. Presley was a "powerful and authentic voice in African cinema" and his career spanned theatre, television and film, it said. In his most famous film, Chweneyagae plays a "tsotsi" -- a colloquial term for thug -- who tries to do the right thing when he unwittingly carjacks a vehicle with a baby in the backseat. The 2005 film is based on a novel by acclaimed South African playwright Athol Fugard who died in March this year at the age of 92. "It's a story about hope, it's a story about forgiveness, and it also deals with the issues that we are facing as South Africans: AIDS, poverty and crime," Chweneyagae said in 2006 as South Africa celebrated the Oscar. "But at the same time, it could take place anywhere in the world," he said. Chweneyagae was born in 1984 in the small North West Province town of Mafikeng and joined drama classes at the age of 10, his agents said. He also had roles in the blockbuster "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" (2013), based on Nelson Mandela's autobiography, and South Africa's award-winning television series "The River" (2018).
