South Africans pay tribute to acting 'icon' Chweneyagae wey die age 40

South Africans dey pay tribute to actor Presley Chweneyagae, wey die at di age of 40.

Im family on Wednesday say e die from natural causes afta e experience breathing problems.

Family tok-tok pesin Mzwakhe Sigudla say di paramedics bin don attend to am, but e "no make am".

Chweneyagae, wey dem born in 1984 for North-West Province of South Africa, get im big international break afta e appear for di 2005 film Tsotsi, wey make di kontri get dia first Oscar for best foreign language film.

Tsotsi, na powerful crime feem wia Chweneyagae play di lead role, explore gang life for South African township.

For di statement wey announce im death, im agency describe am as a "South African icon" and one of di kontri "most gifted and beloved actors".

Di South African goment publish one post on X wia dem describe am as "a gifted storyteller wey im talent lit up our screens and hearts".

Chweneyagae also act for Nelson Mandela biopic Long Walk to Freedom in 2013, as well as acting for many oda theatre productions.

Di South African Film and Television Awards describe am as a "true legend of South African cinema" and a "powerhouse performer".

Di Ministry of Sports, Art and Culture release statement wey highlight im role for di popular South African series River and Cobrizzi.

"Di Department of Sports, Art and Culture, mourn di loss of a true trailblazer - a storyteller wey hold di soul of a nation wit im craft," Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie tok for di statement.

Im rise to stardom popular for South Africa sake of im acting skills for movie series wey include 'The River', Zama Zama and odas.

Na Tuesday 27 May tori bin come say di ogbonge actor don die and im death don shake up di entertainment industry for South Africa.

"Na wit profound sadness we confam di untimely passing of one of South Africa most gifted and beloved actors, Pres Chweneyagae, for di age of 40," Nina Morris Lee, CEO of MLA tok for dia statement.

MLA wey be popular talent management company describe Chweneyagae as a 'gifted writer and director.'

"Presley na longtime and cherished member of di MLA family, more dan a client, im be friend, a mentor to many, a beacon of creativity and perseverance."

MLA tok for dia statement say Chweneyagae passion to empower di next generation of artists go remain an integral part of im legacy.

Wetin cause Presley Chweneyagae death and why e shake South Africa

Family say Chweneyagae die naturally.

Meanwhile for 2021, Chweneyagae tok for one show say im go like go behind di scenes, away from acting.

"Once I turn forty years old, I go like to look at oda means of making money. I no go retire but I go dey behind di scenes," e tok for di interview wit Cassper on di Braai show.

Ogbonge actors, govment officials and organisations dey late Chweneyagae. Dis na sake of im veri important role for di South Africa movie industry.

Netflix South Africa say di late actor na one of dia own, and dem send dia 'heartfelt condolences to di family'.

Chweneyagae do several movie series wit Netflix for South Africa and e totori plenti South Africans.

Also, South African govment don send condolences to di family of di late actor and di movie industry for di kontri sake of di loss.

"Rest in Peace, Presley Chweneyagae. Di nation mourn di loss of a gifted storyteller wey im talent light up our screens and hearts. Your legacy go live on through di powerful stories you dey tell," South African govment tok for dia tributes.

Di South African Film and Television Awards also describe di late Presley as a true legend of South African cinema and 'a powerhouse performer wey im talent leave an indelible mark on ur screens and for hearts.'

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) bin join to send condolence and words of celebration for di late Presley.

"Im talent and powerful presence on screen bin shape di hearts and minds of a generation, e raise many of us through im unforgettable performances," EFF write for dia statement.

Chweneyagae death shake South Africa sake of how e bring international recognition to di kontri through movie production.

Im rise to international fame bin help South Africa win di first-ever Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Who be Presley Chweneyagae

Chweneyagae na ogbonge South African actor and filmmaker wey dem born for Mafikeng, di capital city of di North West province of South Africa, for October 19, 1984.

E enta limelight sake of im acting abilities wey e display for di film Tsotsi, wey win di Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for 2005.

Im journey begin for age of 10 wen e bin join drama classes for di North West Arts Council (now di Mmabana Arts, Culture and Spo Foundation).

For di fourth Royalty Soapie Awards for 2020, Chweneyagae win di award for outstanding lead actor.

Meanwhile for 2006, im gangster role for di movie Tsotsi, earn am di Golden Horn Award.

Movie characters wey e don act include Thuso for "Cobra", Mokoena for 'The River' and plenti odas wey totori South Africans.

For March 2019, Chweneyagae win best actor award for 'The River' Telenovela during di 13th annual South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) for di Sun City Superbowl for Rustenburg, South Africa.