Presley Chweneyagae, the South African film and television star whose breakthrough as a hardened young criminal in the Oscar-winning Tsotsi (2005) brought him global acclaim, has died at 40. His agency, Moonyeenn Lee & Associates (MLA), confirmed the news, extending heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues and fans.
Chweneyagae first captured attention as the title character in Tsotsi, a gritty Johannesburg drama that won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. In 2006, he received the Golden Horn Award for Best Actor at the South African Film and Television Awards, establishing himself as one of the nation’s foremost talents.
A Soweto native, Chweneyagae transitioned from community theatre to major screen roles. He portrayed activist Walter Sisulu in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and brought charisma and complexity to Thuso “Cobra” Mokoena in the hit soap The River. His performance inspired the spin-off series Cobrizi, in which he reprised the role.
Beyond acting, Chweneyagae co-wrote and directed the acclaimed stage play Relativity, exploring family and social change on international stages. Nina Morris Lee, CEO of MLA, noted, “Presley’s creative vision went far beyond performance—he championed emerging artists and told stories that resonated across communities.”
MLA added: “While we mourn an exceptional performer, we celebrate the light he shared through his craft. Memorial service details will be announced in due course.”
Tributes have poured in across social media, and his official Instagram account posted a recent photograph without caption—a poignant reminder of the void left by his passing. As South Africa readies memorials, Chweneyagae’s legacy endures in every frame of Tsotsi, every scene of Cobrizi and every line of Relativity.