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FILE: Artist Presley Chweneyagae.
The family of legendary actor Presley Chweneyagae has confirmed that he passed away as a result of natural causes.
Forty-year-old Chweneyagae passed away at his home in Pretoria yesterday.
He was best known for his leading role in the award-winning 2005 film, Tsotsi.
Chweneyagae also starred in various films, including iNumber Number, Zama Zama and the telenovela, The River, where he was notorious for his hilarious role of ‘Cobra’.
His uncle, Mzwakhe Sigudla, says he was having difficulty breathing when he passed away.
Sigudla says, “There has been speculation and we want to clarify that there has been no foul play with what happened to Presley and unfortunately, it is what you call natural death.”
“He had a bit of complication related to breathing and paramedics were called to attend the scene, but unfortunately, he did not make it and there is nothing we know other than that, and we want to put it to the nation that it is a natural death.”
Inspiring actors
The Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation in North West says Chweneyagae played an important role in inspiring generations of actors.
The foundation’s Acting CEO Hendrick Motsileng says Chweneyagae will continue to influence emerging artists through his legacy.
Motsileng says, “Presley’s achievements in this particular sector have played a very big role in inspiring quite a number of creatives in our province, but not only in our province but also outside our province.”
“Remember that Presley comes from the dusty villages of Mahikeng. So it shows that with consistency, determination and hard work as a young person, you can achieve what you want to achieve. If you are focussed on what you are doing, so that cannot be underscored.”- Additional reporting by Gontse Sekhantso.
VIDEO | SA mourns passing of actor Presley Chweneyagae:
