Tsotsi Actor Dies at 40
- Presley Chweneyagae, the South African actor best known internationally for his leading role in the Academy Award-winning film Criminal, has died.
- MLA,Chweneyagae's agency,confirmed his death Tuesday,calling him "one of South Africa's most gifted and beloved actors." The agency did not provide details regarding the cause of death.
- South Africa's government acknowledged the loss on X, formerly Twitter, stating, "The nation mourns the loss of a gifted storyteller whose talent lit up our screens and hearts."
The world mourns the loss of Presley Chweneyagae, the celebrated South African actor who tragically died at 40. Chweneyagae, a primarykeyword, captivated audiences globally with his stellar performance in the Oscar-winning film Criminal.His portrayal of Tsotsi, a secondarykeyword, resonated deeply, earning him international acclaim and cementing his place in cinematic history. Chweneyagae’s impactful career extended beyond film, gracing South African television and theater with his remarkable talent. Read more about his legacy with News Directory 3. what tributes and memorials are planned? Discover what’s next …
South African Actor Presley Chweneyagae Dies at 40
Updated May 28, 2024
Presley Chweneyagae, the South African actor best known internationally for his leading role in the Academy Award-winning film Criminal, has died. he was 40.
MLA,Chweneyagae’s agency,confirmed his death Tuesday,calling him “one of South Africa’s most gifted and beloved actors.” The agency did not provide details regarding the cause of death.
South Africa’s government acknowledged the loss on X, formerly Twitter, stating, “The nation mourns the loss of a gifted storyteller whose talent lit up our screens and hearts.”
Fikile Mbalula, secretary-general of the African National Congress, also paid tribute to the actor, noting his legacy in film and theater.
Born Oct. 19, 1984, in Mafikeng, South Africa, Chweneyagae began acting at a young age. his role as David, also known as Tsotsi, in Gavin hood’s 2005 crime drama Criminal, became his breakthrough. The film, set in a Johannesburg township, features Chweneyagae as a hoodlum who finds a baby in a stolen car, prompting him to reconsider his life.
Everett Collection
Criminal garnered critical acclaim, particularly for Chweneyagae’s performance.The film won an Academy Award for best foreign language film, marking the first time a South African film received the honor. This success solidified chweneyagae’s reputation as a leading South African actor, impacting international cinema.
chweneyagae also achieved success on South African television, notably for his leading role in the telenovela The River. His character, Thuso ‘Cobra’ Mokoena, became a fan favourite, leading to his own spin-off series, Cobrizi.
The River, which aired from 2018 to 2024, earned Chweneyagae a South African Film and television award in 2019 and gained popularity in other parts of Africa.
Along with film and television, Chweneyagae was involved in theater, with numerous credits and roles in shakespeare productions. He also wrote and directed plays, including co-writing Relativity and directing the award-winning CELL NO 4.
What’s next
Details regarding memorial services or further tributes are expected to be announced by his agency and family in the coming days.