Tsotsi star Presley Chweneyagae passed away at the age of 40

The South African television star and award-winning actor Presley Chweneyagae has died at the age of 40 on Tuesday morning and that sad news was confirmed by his agent MLA.

MLA said it is with profound sadness that we confirm the untimely passing of one of South Africa's most gifted and beloved actors,Presley Chweneyagae,at the age of 40.

His death will leave an unrepairable hole in the South African entertainment industry especially television and theatre,and the cause of his death is unknown at the moment.

MLA mentioned that he was born on October 19,1984,in Mafikeng,North West Province,Presley was destined for the stage and screen.His artistic journey began at the age of 10 when he joined drama classes at the North West Arts Council(now The Mmabatho Arts,Culture and Sports Foundation),setting him on a lifelong path of storytelling,expression,and excellence.

Presley rose to fame in 2005 through his unforgettable performance in Tsotsi film which won South Africa's first-ever Academy-Award for Best Foreign Language Film,and that movie paved the way for him in the African entertainment industry.

His career spanned theatre,television,and film,he performed in Mandela:Long Walk to Freedom(2013) and other people knows him from an awarding-winning television series The River(2018),on stage he excelled on Hamlet as Hamlet,Julius Ceasar as Mark Antony,A Midsummer Night's Dream as Bottom and Puck,Dikeledi(an adaptation of Electra) as Oresters,and many more.

His agent highlighted that Presley was versatile man and he was armed with writing and directing skills and also liked to mentor young people.

"He was also a gifted writer and director,co-authoring the internationally acclaimed stage play Relativity with Paul Grootboom - later published by STE Publishers and directing the awarding-winning production CELL NO 4.

Presley was a longtime and cherished member of the MLA family -more than a client,he was a friend,a mentor to nany,a beacon of creativity and perseverance.His passion for empowering the next generation of artists will remain part of his legacy,"MLA added.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife,children,extended family,colleagues,and all who knew and loved him.While we grieve the immense loss of a remarkable talent,we celebrate the light he brought to the world,concluded MLA statement.