South Africans are in mourning following the untimely death of actor Presley Chweneyagae at the age of 40. His agency released a heartfelt statement, heralding him as a "South African icon," and recognized him as one of the nation’s "most gifted and beloved actors." The government of South Africa took to social media platform X to honor Chweneyagae, referring to him as "a gifted storyteller whose talent lit up our screens and hearts."
Born in 1984 in South Africa's North-West Province, Chweneyagae gained international recognition through his role in the 2005 film Tsotsi, which made history by winning South Africa's first Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. The film, a gritty portrayal of gang life in a South African township, showcased Chweneyagae's exceptional talent in the lead role. In addition to Tsotsi, he played notable parts in the 2013 Nelson Mandela biopic Long Walk to Freedom and appeared in various theatre productions.
The South African Film and Television Awards acknowledged Chweneyagae as a "true legend of South African cinema" and a "powerhouse performer." The Ministry of Sports, Art and Culture also expressed their condolences, lauding him for his significant contributions to South Africa’s television landscape through popular series like River and Cobrizzi. Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie emphasized that Chweneyagae was "a true trailblazer" and a storyteller who captured "the soul of a nation."
