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The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
‘The River' and ‘Tsotsi' star Presley Chweneyagae dies at 40
Award-winning South African actor Presley Chweneyagae has died at the age of 40. According to The Witness, his family confirmed the news this morning, and his agency, MLA, released an official statement on their website shortly thereafter. '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,' said MLA. Chweneyagae was born on October 19, 1984, in Mafikeng, North West, and his artistic journey began at the age of 10 when he joined drama classes at the North West Arts Council (now the Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation), setting him on a lifelong path of storytelling, expression and excellence. He rose to international fame with his unforgettable performance in Tsotsi (2005), a role that helped bring home South Africa's first-ever Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Chweneyagae's performance resonated with audiences across the globe, cementing his place as a powerful and authentic voice in African cinema. His career spanned theatre, TV and film, with standout performances in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013) and the award-winning TV series The River (2018). On stage, his presence was commanding and transformative, with roles in: • Hamlet in Hamlet • Mark Antony in Julius Caesar • Bottom and Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream • Orestes in Dikeledi (an adaptation of Electra) • Relativity, Urban Reality, Jack in the Box, The Grandball, Silent Voice, Kalushi, Cards, Beautiful Things, and more. He was also a gifted writer and director, co-authoring the internationally acclaimed stage play Relativity with Paul Grootboom – later published by STE Publishers – and directing the award-winning production CELL NO 4. '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,' read the statement. Details regarding memorial services will be shared in due course. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
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.
