South African actor Presley Chweneyagae has died at the age of 40.
His talent agency, MLA, confirmed the news on Tuesday, 27 May 2025. No cause of death has been shared yet.
Chweneyagae was best known for his breakout role in Tsotsi, the 2005 film that won South Africa’s first-ever Oscar. His raw performance helped put Mzansi cinema on the world map.
But his career didn’t stop there. He went on to become one of the most recognised faces in local film, TV, and theatre.
On The River, he played Thuso “Cobra” Mokoena, a role that earned him a SAFTA and a loyal fanbase. He recently stepped behind the scenes too, becoming executive producer of Cobrizi, the spin-off show now airing on Mzansi Magic.
Born in Mafikeng in 1984, Chweneyagae started acting at age 10. He performed in classics like Hamlet, Julius Caesar, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He also co-wrote the award-winning play Relativity with Paul Grootboom, and later directed the acclaimed theatre production Cell No. 4.
Tributes have poured in from across Mzanzi.
Terry Pheto posted on her Instagram account: “I’m shocked and saddened by the news of Presley’s sudden passing. My heart goes out to his family and the rest of our friends and colleagues in the film industry. We shared an unforgettable moment when we won the Oscar. It’s a moment I will forever cherish. May his soul rest in peace. 💔”
The South African government called him a “gifted storyteller whose talent lit up our screens and hearts.” SAFTA called him a “true legend of South African Cinema.”
Nomsa Philiso, CEO of General Entertainment at MultiChoice, said, “Through characters like Cobra on The River, and most recently on Mzansi Magic’s Cobrizi, he didn’t just entertain – he made us laugh, made us care, and helped us understand the people behind the stories.”
Phathu Makwarela, co-founder of Tshedza Pictures, added, “Presley was one of a generation. He was the epitome of God-given talent… Today the world is a much sadder place by the loss of this talent.”
His management agency MLSA wrote: “He was more than just a client, he was a friend, a mentor, a beacon of creativity and perseverance.”
To many, Presley was not only an actor but a storyteller who brought Mzansi to life on stage and screen.
You can still catch him on Cobrizi, Sundays at 8PM on Mzansi Magic.
Cobrizi. Mokwepa. Tsotsi. A legend.
