Presley was magical on and off camera: Phathutshedzo Makwarela

The creative mind behind South African television series, The River, says Presley Chweneyagae was as magnificent in real life as he was while performing as an actor.

Phathutshedzo Makwarela says the award-winning Chweneyagae stood out for his love for people and upbeat attitude.

He believes that the 40-year-old’s largely jovial character in acting reflects who he was in real life.

“Once in a generation, a talent emerges that really envelopes us as a nation with their talent and that is really what Presley was. He allowed us to see ourselves through his work. I think my message of comfort, not just to his family but to even others who never got to experience him in person: He was really as magical as the many characters he portrayed on screen,” says Makwarela.

Makwarela adds that he was often astounded by Chweneyagae’s ability to follow instruction on set, as he was able to perform his character far beyond expectations at times.

He described the late award-winning actor as an intellectual who was socially, politically, and economically cognisant of his home country.

According to artistic director at the South African State Theatre, Aubrey Sekhabi, Chewneyagae’s life teaches the importance of being passionate about one’s work.

He says the late actor was a performer who everyone wanted to work with.

Sekhabi also expressed grief for Chwenyagae’s young family.

“Presley was committed to doing whatever he was doing. If he’s working on a character, sometimes you’d even think he is out of his mind because he was so committed to his work. When I was directing him, it meant that everyday we sit down and discuss his work and also do rehearsals, the following morning he would come back having worked on something the previous night. It never stopped for Presley. So people need to take from that that they have got to work hard on their craft because that’s one thing that Presley did well,” advises Sekhabi.

Internationally acclaimed South African actor, John Kani, has described Chweneyagae’s death as a tremendous loss.

Kani says the late award-winning actor was too young and bright to leave this world.

He was among those who visited the late actor’s Pretoria home to pay his respects.

“He was a master of the craft. It’s very rare to get somebody who is extremely good in theater as well as on television and film; he had that gift. He gave of himself his life to this industry and I feel that by his death we lost. It’s an incredible loss he was very young,” says Kani.

Ontshiametse Molekoa, who co-starred with Chweneyagae on The River, says he discovered from Chwenyeyage that no two people’s life journeys in the universe are identical.

Molekoa agrees with those who knew Chwenyeyage personally, describing him as a hard-working and approachable gentleman.

He says Chweneyagae was a friend whom he could contact on his darkest day and immediately cheer him up.

“He taught me that everybody has their own success; everybody’s success is written in different ways. We just all have to go out there to find it for ourselves,” says Molekoa.

He adds that he now knows how to maintain discipline, focus, and respect for others  – thanks to Chwenyeyagae.

The late actor, affectionately known by his character nickname on The River “Cobrizi” will be remembered with two memorial services next week.

The acclaimed actor, who rose to popularity in 2005 for his award-winning performance on Tsotsi, succumbed to natural causes at his home in Pretoria North.

“The family has confirmed that there will be two memorial services. One will be in Mafikeng next week Tuesday and the other one will be in Pretoria next week Thursday. The funeral will be next week Saturday,” Chwenyeyagae’s family spokesperson, Mzwakhe Sigudla, says.

According to Sigudla, the venue for the star’s funeral will be announced during the course of next week.

Chwenyeyagae died due to abrupt respiratory complications.

The family describes him as a passionate family man who could easily make others laugh.

Sigudla adds they are still trying to come to terms with the news of his death, which they find astonishing, given that he appeared to be fine all along. Written by Odirile Rabolao