Presley Chweneyagae's funeral: Warren Masemola and 'The River' cast honour the iconic actor

Beloved actor Presley Chweneyagae was given a heartfelt send-off during his funeral service which took place in Pretoria on Saturday, June 7.

Following a memorial service in his home town of Mahikeng in the North West, on Tuesday, June 5 and a second one at The South African State Theatre, the ceremony took place at the Akasia Community Hall before he was laid to rest at the Zandfontein Cemetery.

The actor, who rose to fame in the Academy Award-winning film, "Tsotsi", died on May 27 at the age of 40 of natural causes after sudden respiratory complications. 

He was also renowned for his theatre work, for playing the iconic Thuso “Cobra” Mokoena on “The River” and his role in the Nelson Mandela biopic “Long Walk to Freedom.”

The Oscar-winner’s funeral was attended by scores of mourners, including his wife and children, other family members, friends, industry colleagues, government officials and other distinguished guests.

Actress Rami Chune presided over the proceedings while other stars who were in attendence included Dr Jerry Mofokeng, Warren Masemola and Oros Mampofu.

Meanwhile, several of Chweneyagae’s “The River” co stars, such as Thembinkosi Mthembu and Winnie Mashaba, were also at the funeral.

One of the most poignant moments of the ceremony was when Chweneyagae’s wife, Charlaine Kirk as well as their sons, Preston and Aston delivered their tributes to him through a video feed which was played at the funeral.

Kirk explained how she met the actor when she arrived from Swaziland to Pretoria in 2007 to study.

“He was a funny, loving guy and he very ambitious,” she said in the video.

“He was also a soft and gentle man who was very humble and respectful.”

Kirk also descibed her husband’s work ethic as “unmatched.” 

“He took his craft seriously and he have it everything.” “On his bad days, he still used to make the whole country laugh.”

She added: “He was also a risk taker who taught me to push for the things that I want.”

Kirk also described Chweneyagae as a man who “loved his fans and community.”

“Presley really loved the people around him, not just his family and friends, he just loved people across the board.”

Meanwhile, in a separate part of the video tribute, his sons, who could only be heard through audio, spoke of the best memories they had with their father, included how they loved listening to music together and how theey enjoying the times when he would drop them off at school.

They also reflected on Chweneyagae’s many achievements, declaring how proud they are of their father.

Another powerful moment at the ceremony was when Masemola delivered a powerful speech to his dear friend and co-star, who he worked with on “The Number.”

The renowned “Scandal!” star, together with Chweneyagae’s colleugues from “The River” and other entertainment industry figures, formed a guard of honour for the acting icon.

Many of them were emotional as they stood on stage, embracing eachother as they sang along to the melodic sounds of the choir.

In tears, he then took to the stage to describe his deep friendship with Chweneyagae and how he is still struggling to cope with his death.

“Presley and I fought a lot . I don’t understand people who don’t fight with their friends or the people they claim their love,” he said.

“We fought about love, life, work, professionalism, children, wives, family, we just fought all of the time but he was my friend and we loved each other a lot.”

Meanwhile, Bonga Vilakazi, the producer of “The River” also delivered a moving speech at the funeral.

“I am representing family, not born out of blood but of long days, of shared dreams and stories by the passionate and talented people from the cast and crew of ‘The River.”

“When you spend 12 hour days together, five to six days a week for almost a decade, you become a family. You learn people’s habits, their moods their silences and you celebrate their wins and you are there for each other in times of sorrow.”

He added: “I struggled to find the words for today because how do you sum up someone as great as Presley? He was a layered man, who has made enormous contributions. There was dazzling and uncontainable light within him but there were shadows too.”

“I don’t say that to focus on the shadows but as a way to reflect the fullness of his humanity.”

“Presley was a man who felt things deeply, who who went through things that people often overlook but he always showed up and he still gave us his art, his generosity, his humour and his friendship.”

Vilakazi also spoke of Chweneyagae’s mischievousness and how he would befriend the drivers.

The producer also adressed his family.

“To Presley‘s family, you love Presley and he loved you deeply. You are the reason he got through dark moments. “Without you, we would have never have had the privilege of loving the man behind the magic.

“To his kids, may you always know your father was a rare soul and one of the greatest to ever do it.”

Vilakazi concluded: “May Presley’s legacy not only be through re-runs of his shows but may we also  honour through the loyalties that he so rich deserved so that his loved ones can carry on a dignity. Rest in peace Presley, we will never forget you.”