Rest in Power, a True Legend of Our Screens
Johannesburg, South Africa 27 May 2025 The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) joins the nation and global film community in mourning the untimely passing of Presley Chweneyagae, a trailblazing actor whose talent, depth, and dedication elevated South African storytelling to global acclaim.
Born in Mafikeng on 19 October 1984, Presley's journey into the world of performance began at the tender age of ten through drama classes at the North West Arts Council (now Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation). From these humble beginnings, he went on to become one of South Africa's most celebrated screen and stage actors.
His breakout role in Tsotsi (2005), a project proudly funded by the NFVF, propelled him to international recognition. The film made history as South Africa's first Oscar-winning feature, receiving the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film - a moment of national pride that showcased the world-class talent within our borders. Presley's performance in Tsotsi remains one of the most iconic portrayals in African cinema.
Throughout his career, Presley exemplified artistic excellence across theatre, television, and film. His body of work includes powerful performances in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013), the acclaimed series The River (2018), and stage roles such as Hamlet in Hamlet, Mark Antony in Julius Caesar, and Orestes in Dikeledi. He also co-wrote the critically acclaimed play Relativity, later published by STE Publishers, and directed the award-winning production CELL NO 4.
A multiple SAFTA Best Actor awardee (2006, 2019, 2023, 2024), Presley's accolades are a testament to his lasting impact on the South African entertainment industry. Presley's accolades are a testament to his lasting impact on the South African entertainment industry. Beyond the screen, he was a committed mentor and advocate for youth development in the arts - a legacy that will continue to inspire generations.
Presley was a national treasure that loved his craft. His passing at the age of 40 is an immense loss to the South African film and television industry. The NFVF extends heartfelt condolences to his wife, children, family, and all those who were touched by his spirit and brilliance says the NFVF CEO, Dr. Vince Blennies.
Thank you, Presley, for the powerful stories you brought to life, the countless lives you touched, and the legacy you leave behind. Your light will continue to shine.
ENDS.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Lerato Mokopanele
Marketing and Communications Manager
National Film and Video Foundation
Email: Leratom@nfvf.co.za
About the NFVF: The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is a statutory body mandated to promote and develop the South African film and video industry. It provides funding for film projects, facilitates training and skills development, and promotes South African content locally and internationally. The NFVF aims to create a sustainable and globally competitive industry that reflects the diverse stories and voices of South Africa.
Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/nfvfsa/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nfvfsa/
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/nfvfsa
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nfvfsa_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-film-and-video-foundation-south-africa
Website: www.nfvf.co.za
Most recent headlines
04/09/2025
Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), in collaboration with Dalet, has been a...
30/05/2025
American Underground Returns to American Tobacco Campus A full-circle homecoming for Durham's leading coworking community
Durham, N.C. (May 29, 2025) - In ...
30/05/2025
COLLEGE STATION, Texas Texas A&M University here has selected Grass Valley's IP-enabled live production solutions to upgrade its athletics coverage workflow...
30/05/2025
PHOENIX Trinity Capital has announced a commitment to provide $62.7 million in capital to Atmosphere TV, a streaming platform that offers more than 30 original ...
30/05/2025
How Musicians Can (and Should) Use AI-According to Berklee Experts At Berklee's first AI and Music Innovation event, artists and educators explored how ar...
30/05/2025
The Most Underrated Hip-Hop Producers, According to J. Rawls The producer whos worked with Mos Def, Talib Kweli, the Roots, and Common, joined a panel on camp...
30/05/2025
17th-Annual SVG College Summit Unites Video-Production Community as Industry Und...
30/05/2025
UEFA Champions League Final 2025: CBS Sports To Produce Pitchside Studio Show, ...
30/05/2025
University of Wyoming's Dennis Trapani on a Busy Year of Live Event Producti...
30/05/2025
Women's College World Series: ESPN Enhances Softball Coverage With Expanded ...
30/05/2025
Back to All News
Netflix and the Brazilian Tourism Board Announce Cooperation A...
30/05/2025
AI pinpoints new anti-aging drug candidates More than 70% of the drugs identified by artificial intelligence extended the lifespan of C. elegans worms.
May 29,...
29/05/2025
Director Erica Tremblay on the set of Little Chief' during the 2018 Native Filmmakers Lab. Photo by Tytianna Harris for Sundance Institute...
29/05/2025
Japan's music scene is entering an exciting new chapter. Long known for its ...
29/05/2025
Rest in Power, a True Legend of Our Screens
Johannesburg, South Africa 27 May...
29/05/2025
Johannesburg, South Africa 28 May 2025 - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Vincent Blennies, has resigned from...
29/05/2025
The media and entertainment landscape is changing rapidly. Emerging technologies like AI and cloud workflows are transforming post production, while economic sh...
29/05/2025
Don't Sell Out the Power of Sound
George Lucas famously said that sound and music are 50 percent of the entertainment in a movie and while the exact figure...
29/05/2025
L3Harris receives a contract to develop a next-generation security processor to ...
29/05/2025
Renewal Spans all 18 Local Fox Markets and Includes Streaming Measurement of Loc...
29/05/2025
Leading streamers expanded TV, movie and sports titles by 5% in Q2; Netflix led ...
29/05/2025
CARSON, Calif. Rep. Nanette Barrag n (D-Calif.) joined Federal Communications Commission member Anna Gomez and Carson City Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes on Tuesday to...
29/05/2025
NEW YORK Nielsen said it struck a multiyear renewal agreement with Fox Television Stations for measurement across 18 of Fox's owned-and-operated local stati...
29/05/2025
MIAMI NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises has launched the Caso Cerrado FAST channel, a 24/7 streaming destination featuring more than 800 hours of the iconic ...
29/05/2025
Pebble, the leading automation, content management and integrated channel specialist, has completed a large installation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as Media Pri...
29/05/2025
Tintri , a DDN subsidiary, and leading provider of the world's only workload-aware, AI-powered data management solutions, today announced that its high-per...
29/05/2025
MALAGA, Spain Media integration and asset management solutions provider Tedial has formed a strategic partnership with Moments Lab, a provider of AI-based video...
29/05/2025
Sony announced the latest addition to its Cinema Line family, the FX2. The camera, designed as an entry-level product in the broader Cinema Line range, will be ...
29/05/2025
RESTON, Va. Comscore has announced that its AI-powered ID-free audiences offering has been integrated into Yahoo DSP, adding to the existing suite of targeting ...
29/05/2025
SINGAPORE Atomos introduced its StudioSonic shotgun mic for filmmakers, journalists, YouTubers and production professionals at Broadcast Asia here, May 27-29 at...
29/05/2025
UEFA Champions League Final 2025: DAZN on the goals for its unilateral platinum ...
29/05/2025
UEFA Champions League Final 2025: Host broadcaster DAZN reveals the plan for thi...
29/05/2025
Back to All News
Alex de la Iglesia, Carmen Maura and Blanca Suarez Together in...
29/05/2025
Webinar and Report: State Broadband Rate Regulation
May 29, 2025
Network Economics
News
Cartesian presents key findings from our latest report for...
29/05/2025
We're pleased to be working with Nectar360 (Sainsbury's retail media business) and Albert Heijn, who are in the latter stages of the compliance audit an...
29/05/2025
May 29 2025, 23:30 (PDT) Mahindra Thar ROXX brings Dolby Atmos for an elevated entertainment experience
First to the world: 4-channel immersive audio with D...
29/05/2025
Ready for a front-row seat to the next scientific revolution?
That's the idea behind Doudna - a groundbreaking supercomputer announced today at Lawrence Be...
29/05/2025
LONDON - 29th May 2025: Fifty years ago, The Good Life made its debut. Now, the ...
29/05/2025
Roland-Garros 2025: Bringing the passion and drama with new cameras for storytel...
29/05/2025
Roland-Garros 2025: The FFT and host broadcaster Whisper target a younger audien...
29/05/2025
Roland-Garros 2025: Whisper on getting into the psyche of the FFT as the new hos...
29/05/2025
2025 Sports Emmys: Riot Games' Leanne McGowan on Valorant Champions 2024 By Jason Dachman, Editorial Director, U.S.
Thursday, May 29, 2025 - 10:04 am
P...
29/05/2025
Back to All News
Literary Suspense Comes Alive in Korean Series Notes from the...
29/05/2025
Moments Lab, a leader in AI video discovery, and LucidLink, the pioneer in real-...
29/05/2025
Comscore Adds Consumer AI Tool Usage Data to Its Industry-Leading Suite of Repor...
29/05/2025
Apple today introduced new Logic Pro updates for Mac and iPad, supercharging beat making and producing. The innovative Stem Splitter feature now offers even gre...
29/05/2025
Dragon Hearts- RT documentary follows cancer survivors united through the power...
29/05/2025
2FM is hitting the road this summer, broadcasting live from Ireland's biggest music festivals, starting with Forbidden Fruit this June Bank Holiday weekend....
29/05/2025
Aistear an Amhr in RT series reveals fascinating stories behind Ireland's ...
Rest in Power, a True Legend of Our Screens
