By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Internationally acclaimed actor Presley Oageng “Tobetsa” Chweneyagae has been laid to rest at Zandfontein Cemetery in Tshwane.
The 40-year-old award-winning actor died on May 27 from natural causes after experiencing sudden respiratory challenges.
Countless tributes have been pouring in for the late actor since the news of his sudden passing broke out.
Two memorial services for Chweneyagae preceded the funeral; the first took place in his hometown of Mahikeng, North West, on Tuesday, and a second one was held at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria on Thursday.
Many in the film fraternity have hailed Chweneyagae as a powerhouse who gave meaning to all the characters he played
Family, friends and film industry patrons gathered at the Akasia Community Hall to pay their last respects.
One of the most poignant moments of the ceremony was when Chweneyagae’s wife, Charlaine Kirk as well as their sons, Preston and Aston delivered their tributes to him through a video feed which was played at the funeral.
Kirk explained how she met the actor when she arrived from Swaziland to Pretoria in 2007 to study.
“He was a funny, loving guy and he very ambitious,” she said. He was also a soft and gentle man who was very humble and respectful.”
Kirk also descibed her husband’s work ethic as “unmatched.”
“He took his craft seriously and he have it everything.” “On his bad days, he still used to make the whole country laugh.”
In a separate part of the video tribute, his sons, who could only be heard through audio, spoke of the best memories they had with their father, included how they loved listening to music together and how they enjoying the times when he would drop them off at school.
Another powerful moment at the ceremony was when Warren Masemola delivered a powerful speech to his dear friend.
He described his deep friendship with Chweneyagae and how he is still struggling to cope with his death.
“Presley and I fought a lot . I don’t understand people who don’t fight with their friends or the people they claim their love,” he said.
“We fought about love, life, work, professionalism, children, wives, family, we just fought all of the time but he was my friend and we loved each other a lot.”
Masemola chastised certain friends that Chweneyagae would hang around with, who didn’t tell the late actor the truth about being a responsible family man.
“Alcohol is nice, but if you love someone, you owe it to yourself to talk to the one you love and say ‘please may we just call it [a night]. You have children at home. Go home, your family needs you’.”
Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, has described Chweneyagae as a towering figure who was larger than life.
Mabe said this trailblazing talent left an indelible mark on the industry through his unwavering passion and commitment to his craft. She added that Chweneyagae’s storytelling gave audiences the chance to see themselves represented through his lens.
His charisma, humour, sharp wit would send you reaching for the dictionary searching for the meaning behind his poetic terms. We will remember Cobrizi Mokwepa as a star of the silver screen, said Mabe.
One of his closest friends and fellow actor, Zenzo Ngqobe, struggled through a heartfelt tribute, delivering a moving speech on behalf of Chweneyagae’s friends.
“I just want to say my boy you know that I am that strong, but you made me weak. I just want to say, my boy, the two weeks we spent at home, you came to check on me, we spoke about the plans you told me about the role you were writing for me, I told you about the role that I have for you in a movie that we are meant to do together. I realised that those were our plans. Right now, we have to re-adjust, redo everything cause now we are dealing with God’s plan.”
Creative producer and screenwriter Bonga Vilakazi has described Chweneyagae as a once-in-a-lifetime storyteller, whose light will continue to shine through the memories he’s left behind.
“Presley was layered. He was a man of deep feeling and enormous contradictions. There’s dazzling uncontainable light, but there were shadows too. I don’t say this to focus on his shadows, but instead to honour the fullness of his humanity. He was a man who felt deeply, who wrestled with things most of us often look away from and yet through it all he always showed up and gave us his art, generosity, humour. It takes a rare kind of strength to carry brilliance and burden and still choose to give joy to others and Presley do that for us,” said Vilakazi.
Chweneyagae rose to prominence when he secured a role on Tsotsi starring among actors Terry 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.