By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The late actor Presley Chweneyagae has been described as a gentle giant, whose work will inspire a generation of storytellers.
The 40-year-old award-winning actor died on May 27 from natural causes after experiencing sudden respiratory challenges.
Chweneyagae’s funeral service will take place at the Akasia Community Hall in Pretoria on Saturday.
Actor Thato Molamu led the programme as MC during Chweneyagae’s memorial service at the State Theatre on Thursday, 5 June.
Dr Sibongiseni Mkhize, CEO of the State Theatre, delivered a heartfelt welcome. His words blended reverence with pride for a man who called the theatre home.
A specially designed banner bearing Presley’s image stood as a centrepiece on stage. Screens throughout the venue played a montage of his life’s work. From his earliest roles to the unforgettable image of him clutching an Oscar beside Nelson Mandela. The visuals were a testament to his artistry. They were a reminder of a career that transcended entertainment to become a cultural force.
Colleagues and friends shared stories that painted Presley as more than a performer. He was a cultural alchemist. Sdumo Mtshali, who starred alongside him in Number Number, described him as “a quiet fire, always burning, always shaping the story.”
Actress Terry Pheto said Chweneyagae was more than a colleague, he was part of her beginning. She also reminisced of the moments they worked together on the award-winning film Tsotsi.
“We were just kids back then, young, hungry and full of dreams even we could not articulate. And yet there he was, carrying the weight of that story with quiet intensity that left everyone breathless.
Pheto recalled a moment when Presley, with his signature wit, silenced a foreign journalist questioning his name.
“If Hollywood can say Schwarzenegger, they can say Chweneyagae.” The crowd erupted in laughter, a brief reprieve from their grief.
Actress Emma MmeKwa said the industry not only lost a powerhouse in the fraternity, but a great investor of talent.
“We have lost a person who was changing the world of artists. We have lost a president of artists.”
She added that his presence would be greatly missed in the local film industry.
Phathu Makwarela’s Tshedza Pictures produced The River and its spin-off series Cobrizi, described late actor Chweneyagae as the “epitome of God given talent”.
“Presley was one of a generation. He was the epitome of God-given talent. Tshedza Pictures is blessed to have worked with him for close to nine years on The River and Cobrizi. Today, the world is a much sadder place by the loss of this talent,” said Makwarela.
Chweneyagae rose to prominence when he secured a role on Tsotsi starring among actors Pheto, Mothusi Magano, Kenneth Nkosi and Own Sejake.
This would see him secure even greater roles starring in movies like iNumber Number Jozi Gold, Zama Zama and more recently on The River.
The role also earned him his first Golden Horn at the first SAFTAs (South African Film and Television Awards) in 2006.
In 2020 he scooped the gong for outstanding lead actor at the fourth Royalty Soapie Awards.
In early 2025, he starred in a new 13-episode drama series, Cobrizi, reaffirming his enduring appeal. His performances often drew from his own life, having overcome a challenging upbringing in Soweto, which lent authenticity to his work and inspired countless aspiring actors.