Online Reporter
FRIENDS and family of the late Oscar-winning actor Presley Chweneyagae will honour and celebrate his life in two memorial services.
Presley passed away on May 27, due to a sudden respiratory complication at the age of 40. A memorial service to commemorate the life of the former The River actor will be held today at the Mmabatho Convention Centre in Mafikeng, his hometown. A second service will take place on Thursday at the Opera State Theatre in Pretoria, where he resided. Both services are scheduled from 11am to 2pm.
Affectionately known as Cobra, Cobrizi, or Mokwepa for his portrayal of Thuso “Cobra” Mokoena in The River and its spin-off Cobrizi, Presley first rose to prominence with his lead role in Tsotsi (2005), which earned him international acclaim and an Academy Award. He went on to showcase his acting prowess in productions such as iNumber Number, 90 Plein Street, When We Were Black, and Thula’s Vine, among others.
In an interview with Sowetan, The River co-creator Phathutshedzo Makwarela described the late actor as the “epitome of God-given talent.” Makwarela’s production company, Tshedza Pictures, produced both The River and Cobrizi. Chweneyagae’s role as Thuso “Cobra” Mokoena earned him two South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas).
“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 for the loss of this talent,” said Makwarela.
MultiChoice also paid tribute, acknowledging Chweneyagae’s lasting impact on South African television.
“Presley — or Mokwepa, as he came to be known — was a generational talent whose work helped shape Mzansi television. His characters felt like family. He was every mother’s son, every girl’s funny lover, and everyone’s best friend,” said Nomsa Philiso, CEO of General Entertainment at MultiChoice.
“Through characters like Cobra in The River, and most recently in Cobrizi on Mzansi Magic, he didn’t just entertain — he made us laugh, made us care, and helped us understand the people behind the stories. His work brought heart and humanity to every role. His legacy lives on in the stories he helped bring to life.” — Bona/Sowetan.
Bongani Ndlovu