‘Raw, real talent’ - Presley Chweneyagae remembered
Heartfelt tributes abounded on Wednesday as friends, colleagues, and industry icons gathered at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria to remember acclaimed actor Presley Chweneyagae.
Chweneyagae passed away last Tuesday at the age of 40.
The celebrated actor, affectionately known as “Cobrizi” or “Mokwepa,” rose to international fame for his lead role in the 2005 Oscar-winning film Tsotsi, a performance that not only etched his name into cinematic history but also helped elevate South African cinema onto the global stage.
Director Gavin Hood, who helmed Tsotsi, delivered an emotional tribute, describing Chweneyagae as an artist who gave everything to his craft.
“In a world where so much is fake, overproduced, narcissistic, Presley’s raw talent was real and humble. That’s what made his performance unforgettable,” Hood said. “He didn’t perform for the camera; he allowed us to witness his soul. He gave Tsotsi its soul.”
Hood emphasised that the Oscar awarded to Tsotsi was a collective achievement, but no one gave more to the film than Presley.
“He carried the heart of the film without ever trying to steal a single frame,” Hood reflected. “He brought dignity and humanity to a role that asked him to walk into darkness and find light.”
Actress Terry Pheto, who starred alongside Chweneyagae in Tsotsi, remembered him as “more than a colleague” — a “powerful, generous, and magnetic” performer who helped define the trajectory of her career.
“We were just kids when we made Tsotsi, full of dreams we couldn’t even articulate,” she said. “Presley carried the weight of that story with a quiet intensity that left everyone breathless.”
Pheto fondly recalled Chweneyagae’s unapologetic pride in his roots, including his legendary response to a journalist who once suggested he change his name for Hollywood appeal.
“He said, ‘If Hollywood can say Schwarzenegger, they can say Presley Chweneyagae.’ That was Presley — sharp, proud, and unforgettable.”
The memorial also heard from Tshedza Pictures co-founder Phathutshedzo Makwarela, who addressed fan speculation that Chweneyagae often improvised or rewrote his lines.
“Did we write all those words? No. Presley took our scripts and elevated them beyond what we imagined. He represented something urgent in South Africa — a youthful hunger, a desire for change.”
Makwarela called him “the greatest actor that has ever lived,” adding that his passing left a profound void in the company and the country’s creative community.
“Presley Chweneyagae leaves behind a legacy defined by authenticity, pride in identity, and a commitment to storytelling that moved millions,” Makwarela said.
He is expected to be laid to rest on Saturday.
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