Award-Winning Actor Presley Chweneyagae Passes Away at 40
Celebrated actor and playwright Presley Chweneyagae has passed away at the age of 40. The news of the departure of the Mahikeng-born star was announced in the late morning of the 27th of May 2025 by artist agency MLA.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Presley Chweneyagae – actor, storyteller, father, and proud son of South Africa. From his Oscar-winning role in Tsotsi to his more recent work in The River, Presley dedicated his life to his love of storytelling. He leaves behind his wife, their three sons and a legacy that will live for generations to come,” said the statement.
Details surrounding the cause of his passing have not been publicised as yet, and information concerning the funeral has not been shared at this moment in time.
Presley Chweneyagae | SUPPLIED
Chweneyagae rose to stardom with his starring role as “David” in Tsotsi, the 2005 crime drama movie adapted from the novel of the same name written by legendary playwright Athol Fugard. The film was released to rave acclaim, nationally and abroad, and it remains the only South African film to ever win an Academy Award after bringing home the Best Foreign Language Film (now known as the Best International Feature Film). He also scored his first Golden Horn Award for his part in the role in 2005.
Presley went on to appear in more local feature films, including iNumber Number, The Number, and Cobrizi.
His credits as a man of theatre include co-writing credits for Relativity and directing the stage play Cell No. 4.
In the latter parts of Chweneyagae’s career, he was better identified with his role as Thuso “Cobra” Mokoena on the Emmy-nominated South African television series The River.