South African actor Presley Chweneyagae has died at the age of 40. His passing was confirmed today.
Born on October 19, 1984, in Mafikeng, North West, Chweneyagae rose to international fame for his lead role in the 2005 film *Tsotsi*, which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. He was just 21 years old at the time.
Chweneyagae trained at prestigious institutions such as the National School of the Arts, the Market Theatre Laboratory, and the Artist Proof Studio before beginning his professional acting career.
His notable film and television roles include Moruti wa Tsotsi, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, and iNumber Number. He was also a familiar face on the small screen, starring in the popular drama series The River from 2018 to 2023.
A long-standing ambassador for Mzansi Magic, Chweneyagae was deeply committed to local storytelling and nurturing new talent. His contributions to South African film and television earned widespread recognition, and his legacy continues to inspire the industry.
His family has stated they are en route to his residence in Pretoria and will provide further details in due course.