Latest news with #Chweneyagae
TimesLIVE
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
A shark-obsessed serial killer, remake of a classic animated film and stream Presley Chweneyagae's best performances
Spotlight is our bite-sized entertainment snapshot featuring new releases in South Africa, exclusive film trailers and more. New episodes come out every Thursday on Sunday Times Lifestyle, Sowetan Entertainment and YouTube, plus you can follow Spotlight on Facebook. This week's Spotlight episode looks at exciting new cinema releases and joins the industry in celebrating the greatness of one of SA's finest talents, Presley Chweneyagae. A shark-obsessed serial killer holds a rebellious surfer (Hassie Harrison) captive on his boat in Dangerous Animals, and a cat-and-mouse game ensues as the surfer must figure out a way to escape. The survival horror film stars Jai Courtney and Harrison, who received praise for her performance from critics. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Jaws' release in cinemas, the blood fest is perfect for thrill-seeking cinema audiences. Riding on the trend of live action remakes, DreamWorks has created a superb likeness of the 2010 animation original How to Train Your Dragon. With additional charm, humour and flair, Hiccup (Mason Thames) navigates his tricky relationship with his father (Gerard Butler) while trying to determine his own path and finding an unlikely ally in a toothless friend. Dean DeBlois returns to direct the live action version with a flawless cast including Nico Parker and Nick Frost. Don't miss the Viking dragon adventure ride at cinemas, IMAX and 4DX. Honouring the legacy of one of SA's finest acting talents, DStv and Showmax have lined up some of Chweneyagae's most unforgettable performances to stream. They include Tsotsi, the season finale of Cobrizi, and more. The special line-up pays tribute to the beloved actor after his recent death. Chweneyagae, a gifted storyteller whose talent lit up screens and hearts, first rose to prominence for his debut role in the Oscar-winning Tsotsi. For full interviews, breaking news, trailers and clips visit our Spotlight Facebook page. See you at the movies. Presenter Collette Prince is styled and dressed by Claris by Gerrit Pienaar when attending premieres and special events. Facebook @Claris by Gerrit Pienaar/Instagram: gerritpienaardesigns. Scan to see 'Jungle Beat 2'. Image: Empire Entertainment Competition and giveaways Grab your chance to see the South African animation movie Jungle Beat 2 by scanning the QR code. Join presenter Collette Prince for the Special Advance Family Screening event on June 22 at Nu Metro Hyde Park. Tickets are limited and on a first come, first served basis. Not to be missed, win How to Train Your Dragon character toys by answering a question. For full competition details and the questions, go to the Spotlight SA Facebook page and DM your answers and contact details by June 18. Terms and conditions apply. Winners will be drawn randomly and notified by SMS after the competition has closed. Entrants' personal details will not be retained for marketing purposes. Winners have to provide proof of age (ID/driving licence) and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. By entering, participants agree to have their names published on TimesLIVE, SowetanLIVE and Spotlight SA on Facebook. Employees of Arena Holdings and their family members are not eligible to enter.
Eyewitness News
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Eyewitness News
Chweneyagae remembered not only as a gifted performer and entertainer, but as a father, friend, and inspiration
JOHANNESBURG - Family, friends, and industry colleagues gathered to remember the late Presley Chweneyagae, all echoing the same sentiment - honouring the actor for his brilliance and authenticity as a performer. The 40-year-old Tsotsi star, who passed away last week due to respiratory complications, was laid to rest on Saturday. ALSO READ: Chweneyagae began his acting career at just 10-years-old, rising to international acclaim decades later for his leading role in the Oscar-winning film Tsotsi. The Akasia Community Hall was filled with emotion as hundreds of mourners came together in grief and celebration of a life well lived. Speaker after speaker remembered Chweneyagae not only as a gifted performer and entertainer, but as a father, friend, and inspiration. All who took to the podium spoke of how his work touched lives and how he led by example through his craft. His longtime mentor, Aubrey Sekhabi, described Chweneyagae as someone who connected deeply with both character and audience. "With honesty and vulnerability and care, Presley didnt act, he became, he felt, he allowed us to feel too. He could think on his toes, he was so spontaneous." Chweneyagae was laid to rest at Zandfontein Cemetery in Pretoria.
The South African
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Rasta faces fresh backlash over controversial new portrait of Presley Chweneyagae
Controversial Zimbabwean-born portrait artist Lebani Sirenje, famously known as Rasta, is back in the spotlight, and so is the criticism. This time, the target of his brush is the late actor Presley Chweneyagae, best known for his lead role in Tsotsi. Rasta unveiled the painting of Chweneyagae this week, and while some praised his effort, many social media users found the piece unrecognisable. ' Whether you love or question his work, one thing's for sure- Rasta shows up to honour our legends,' posted Tinashe Eugene Mushanguri on Facebook. 'Who is this supposed to be?' asked one user on Facebook, referring to the painting. He joked, 'Rasta has to be stopped. Seriously, we need a petition.' This isn't Rasta's first run-in with public scrutiny. Over the years, Rasta painted countless public figures, often at funerals or memorials, and each time, Mzansi has something to say. From Winnie Madikizela-Mandela to Oliver Mtukudzi, his art tends to trend, sometimes for the wrong reasons. But Rasta has always stood by his work. As the Presley portrait continues to trend, one thing is clear: Rasta's work, however it's received, has become part of South Africa's cultural fabric. Chweneyagae, affectionately known to many as 'Cobrizi' or 'Mokwepa,' passed away last week at his home in the city. He was 40. Chweneyagae rose to fame for his powerful performance in Tsotsi , the gritty South African drama that went on to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006. You've probably seen a Rasta painting. But before all that, he was just a kid in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, born in 1977, drawing whatever caught his eye. He started sketching around age seven and never really looked back. No art degree, no formal training, just years of practice. More than ten years ago, he crossed the border into South Africa, like a lot of Zimbabweans trying to find something more. That's when he went pro. These days, he's known for painting portraits of famous people, mostly after they die, and like it or not, his work always gets a reaction. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Eyewitness News
Akasia community hall filled as mourners pay final respects to late Presley Chweneyagae
JOHANNESBURG - The Akasia community hall is filled to capacity, as mourners have come to pay their final respects to late award-winning actor Presley Chweneyagae. The thespian died of respiratory issues last week. The creative industry has come together to bid farewell to one of its brightest stars. Chweneyagae rose to international fame with his breakout role in the Oscar-winning film Tsotsi in 2005 and audiences later came to know him as Cobra in the hit TV series, The River . His castmates of the popular telenovela have remembered Chweneyagae as an astounding actor who embodied his characters. The River producer Phathu Makwarela said, 'Presley was layered, he was a man of deep feeling and enormous contradictions. There was light in him, dazzling, uncontainable light and yet through it all, he still always showed up, he still gave us his art, his generosity, his humour, his friendship.' He added that Chweneyagae was a person who carried a lot of responsibility but always chose to put others first. 'It takes a rare kind of strength to carry both brilliance and burden and still choose to give joy to others, and Presley did that for us and for that we are truly grateful.'
IOL News
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Presley Chweneyagae's funeral: Warren Masemola and 'The River' cast honour the iconic actor
Award-winning actor Presley Chweneyagae's funeral was held at the Akasia Community Hall on Saturday. Image: X Beloved actor Presley Chweneyagae was given a heartfelt send-off during his funeral service which took place in Pretoria on Saturday, June 7. Following a memorial service in his home town of Mahikeng in the North West, on Tuesday, June 5 and a second one at The South African State Theatre, the ceremony took place at the Akasia Community Hall before he was laid to rest at the Zandfontein Cemetery. The actor, who rose to fame in the Academy Award-winning film, "Tsotsi", died on May 27 at the age of 40 of natural causes after sudden respiratory complications. He was also renowned for his theatre work, for playing the iconic Thuso 'Cobra' Mokoena on 'The River' and his role in the Nelson Mandela biopic 'Long Walk to Freedom.' Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The Oscar-winner's funeral was attended by scores of mourners, including his wife and children, other family members, friends, industry colleagues, government officials and other distinguished guests. Actress Rami Chune presided over the proceedings while other stars who were in attendence included Dr Jerry Mofokeng, Warren Masemola and Oros Mampofu. Meanwhile, several of Chweneyagae's 'The River' co stars, such as Thembinkosi Mthembu and Winnie Mashaba, were also at the funeral. One of the most poignant moments of the ceremony was when Chweneyagae's wife, Charlaine Kirk as well as their sons, Preston and Aston delivered their tributes to him through a video feed which was played at the funeral. Kirk explained how she met the actor when she arrived from Swaziland to Pretoria in 2007 to study. 'He was a funny, loving guy and he very ambitious,' she said in the video. 'He was also a soft and gentle man who was very humble and respectful.' Kirk also descibed her husband's work ethic as 'unmatched.' 'He took his craft seriously and he have it everything.' 'On his bad days, he still used to make the whole country laugh.' She added: 'He was also a risk taker who taught me to push for the things that I want.' Kirk also described Chweneyagae as a man who 'loved his fans and community.' 'Presley really loved the people around him, not just his family and friends, he just loved people across the board.' Meanwhile, in a separate part of the video tribute, his sons, who could only be heard through audio, spoke of the best memories they had with their father, included how they loved listening to music together and how theey enjoying the times when he would drop them off at school. They also reflected on Chweneyagae's many achievements, declaring how proud they are of their father. Another powerful moment at the ceremony was when Masemola delivered a powerful speech to his dear friend and co-star, who he worked with on 'The Number.' Warren Masemola, who was a close friend to Presley Chweneyagae, speaking on stage during the late actor's funeral. Image: X The renowned 'Scandal!' star, together with Chweneyagae's colleugues from 'The River' and other entertainment industry figures, formed a guard of honour for the acting icon. Many of them were emotional as they stood on stage, embracing eachother as they sang along to the melodic sounds of the choir. In tears, he then took to the stage to describe his deep friendship with Chweneyagae and how he is still struggling to cope with his death. 'Presley and I fought a lot . I don't understand people who don't fight with their friends or the people they claim their love,' he said. 'We fought about love, life, work, professionalism, children, wives, family, we just fought all of the time but he was my friend and we loved each other a lot.' Meanwhile, Bonga Vilakazi, the producer of 'The River' also delivered a moving speech at the funeral. 'I am representing family, not born out of blood but of long days, of shared dreams and stories by the passionate and talented people from the cast and crew of 'The River.' 'When you spend 12 hour days together, five to six days a week for almost a decade, you become a family. You learn people's habits, their moods their silences and you celebrate their wins and you are there for each other in times of sorrow.' He added: 'I struggled to find the words for today because how do you sum up someone as great as Presley? He was a layered man, who has made enormous contributions. There was dazzling and uncontainable light within him but there were shadows too.' 'I don't say that to focus on the shadows but as a way to reflect the fullness of his humanity.' 'Presley was a man who felt things deeply, who who went through things that people often overlook but he always showed up and he still gave us his art, his generosity, his humour and his friendship.' Vilakazi also spoke of Chweneyagae's mischievousness and how he would befriend the drivers. The producer also adressed his family. 'To Presley's family, you love Presley and he loved you deeply. You are the reason he got through dark moments. 'Without you, we would have never have had the privilege of loving the man behind the magic. 'To his kids, may you always know your father was a rare soul and one of the greatest to ever do it.' Vilakazi concluded: 'May Presley's legacy not only be through re-runs of his shows but may we also honour through the loyalties that he so rich deserved so that his loved ones can carry on a dignity. Rest in peace Presley, we will never forget you.'
