On Thursday, the South African State Theatre in Pretoria transformed into a sacred space of memory, music, and love, as thousands gathered to honour Presley Chweneyagae, the legendary actor, writer, and cultural architect whose work reshaped the nation’s artistic landscape.
The memorial service, a vibrant celebration of his extraordinary life, drew a crowd so vast that parking lots overflowed, queues snaked along pavements, and hundreds of people stood outside, hoping to catch a fleeting moment of the tribute within.
Replaying iconic moments
Dr Sibongiseni Mkhize, CEO of the State Theatre, delivered a heartfelt welcome. His words blended reverence with pride for a man who called the theatre home. As he spoke, the stage’s massive screen flickered to life, replaying iconic moments from Presley’s career.
His resonant voice filled the hall, reciting lines from Silent Voice: “There is a time to be born, and a time to die… to everything, there is a season.” The words, delivered in his familiar, commanding cadence, left many in tears.
A specially designed banner bearing Presley’s image stood as a centrepiece on stage. Screens throughout the venue played a montage of his life’s work. From his earliest roles to the unforgettable image of him clutching an Oscar beside Nelson Mandela. The visuals were a testament to his artistry. They were a reminder of a career that transcended entertainment to become a cultural force.
The memorial drew a diverse tapestry of attendees, from dignitaries like government officials to celebrities, artists, and everyday South Africans whose lives Presley touched. Their presence underscored his impact, not just in theatre and film, but across the nation’s social and cultural fabric.
Colleagues and friends shared stories that painted Presley as more than a performer. He was a cultural alchemist. Sdumo Mtshali, who starred alongside him in Number Number, described him as “a quiet fire, always burning, always shaping the story.”
Terry Pheto pays tribute
Actress Terry Pheto said Chweneyagae was more than a colleague, he was part of her beginning. She also reminisced of the moments they worked together on the award-winning film Tsotsi.
“We were just kids back then, young, hungry and full of dreams even we could not articulate. And yet there he was, carrying the weight of that story with quiet intensity that left everyone breathless.
Pheto recalled a moment when Presley, with his signature wit, silenced a foreign journalist questioning his name. “If Hollywood can say Schwarzenegger, they can say Chweneyagae.” The crowd erupted in laughter, a brief reprieve from their grief.
Music was the heartbeat of the memorial, turning mourning into a celebration of life. GP MaOrange’s rendition of Thuma Mina brought the house down, transforming the theatre into a soulful stage show. NTLAKS’s Golokile Golokile had mourners on their feet, dancing through tears. Phatha Phatha and Modleko’s pulsating rhythms invited claps and chants.
