MultiChoice adds Presley Chweneyagae's Tsotsi to M-Net, Mzansi Magic and Showmax after actor's death

by Thinus Ferreira

After the death of actor Presley Chweneyagae, MultiChoice has acquired the South African Oscar-winning film Tsotsi and will show it on M-Net (DStv 101) and Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on DStv, as well as carry it on its Showmax streaming service from today.

Alongside the season finale of the Mzansi Magic drama series Cobrizi, MultiChoice worked to curate a collection of Presley Chweneyagae's on-screen appearances for DStv subscribers.

The world was introduced to a 20-year-old Presley Chweneyagae in 2006, when Tsotsi won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. 

Based on Athol Fugard’s novel, the film follows a young boy forced to survive alone in the Johannesburg townships, whose life is upended when he finds a baby in the back seat of a car he's stolen.

Directed by Gavin Hood and produced by Peter Fudakowski, Tsotsi stars Presley alongside Terry Pheto, Kenneth Nkosi, Jerry Mofokeng and Rapulana Seiphema.

Tsotsi will be broadcast on M-Net (DStv 101) at 21:00 on 6 June and will be available to stream on Showmax and DStv Stream. It will then be on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on Saturday 7 June at 20:00 and M-Net Movies 4 (DStv 108) on 15 June at 20:00.

Mzansi Bioskop will be honouring his work with broadcasts of a series of his films, including Zama Zama (9 June); State of Violence (10 June); iNumber Number (11 June) and Tsotsi, once more, on 11 June, all at 21:00.

In Cobrizi, Presley returned to captivate audiences in a spin-off series named for the nickname his character acquired on The River.

A gritty, heart-wrenching and ultimately hopeful tale of survival, love redemption, Cobrizi showcased the heart, soul and inventiveness of Presley. 

The series comes to an end on 8 June at 20:00 on Mzansi Magic.

• Friday 6 June 2025:

Tsotsi M-Net (DStv 101) at 21:00 and available on DStv Stream and Catch Up, as well as Showmax

 

• Saturday 7 June:  

Tsotsi Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) at 20:00 and available DStv Stream packages and Catch Up

• Sunday 8 June:

Cobrizi season finale - Mzansi Magic, 20:00

• Monday 9 June:

Zama Zama Mzansi Bioskop (DStv 164), 20:00

• Tuesday 10 June 2025:

State of Violence, Mzansi Bioskop (DStv 164), 21:00

• Wednesday 11 June:

iNumber Number, Mzansi Bioskop (DStv 164), 21:00

• Thursday 12 June:

Tsotsi, Mzansi Bioskop (DStv channel 164), 21:00

• Sunday 15 June:

Tsotsi, M-Net Movies 4 (DStv 108), 20:00

South African actor Presley Chweneyagae dead at 40

Thinus Ferreira

The award-winning actor Presley Chweneyagae has died. He was 40.

Presley Chweneyagae's cause of death isn't yet known.

In a statement, his management says "It is with profound sadness that we confirm the untimely passing of one of South Africa's most gifted and beloved actors, Presley Chweneyagae, at the age of 40."

"Presley was a longtime and cherished member of the MLA family - more than a client, he was a friend, a mentor to many, a beacon of creativity and perseverance."

"His passion for empowering the next generation of artists will remain an integral part of his legacy. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, children, extended family, colleagues, and all who knew and loved him. While we grieve the immense loss of a remarkable talent, we celebrate the light he brought to the world."

Across a three-decade performing arts career, Presley Chweneyagae rose to fame after his role in the Oscar-winning South African film Tsotsi at the 78th Academy Awards in 2006 in the Best Foreign Film category.

This was also the role which earned him his first Golden Horn trophy at the first South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) in 2006.

Before that, he was on stage doing plays and community theatre, and started at the age of 10, attending drama classes at the North West Arts Council, which is now known as the Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation.

Stage roles in Shakespeare plays included Hamlet in Hamlet, Mark Anthony in Julius Caesar, Bottom and Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and appearances in Electra as well as Dikeledi.

Presley Chweneyagae, who was born on 19 October 1984 in Mahikeng, is also known for his role as Thuso "Cobra" Mokoena in M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) telenovela The River, a role he reprised in a spin-off series Cobrizi centred around his character.

For this role, he won a Golden Horn in 2019, and again won in the Best Actor category at the SAFTAs in 2024 for portraying the same character.

Presley Chweneyagae's first TV role was in Orlando on the SABC in 2000, and he also had roles in the 2006 miniseries When We Were Black as Poet, the SABC2 drama series 90 Plein Street and SABC3's drama series Thula's Vine as detective Moloko.

Presley Chweneyagae also appeared in Mzansi Magic's iNumber Number in 2017, a drama series spin-off from the 2013 film, and was the character of Shoes in both.

He also co-wrote the critically acclaimed play Relativity, later published by STE Publishers, and directed the award-winning production CELL NO 4.

In a statement, MultiChoice says "It is with deep sadness that we at DStv extend our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Presley Chweneyagae, an actor of immense talent, heart, and a beloved member of Mzansi's entertainment family.

Nomsa Philiso, MultiChoice CEO of general entertainment, says "Presley - or Mokwepa, as he grew to be known - was a generational talent whose work helped shape Mzansi television".

"His characters felt like family. He was every mother's son, every girl's funny lover, and everyone's best friend."

"Through characters like Cobra on The River, and most recently on Mzansi Magic's Cobrizi, he didn't just entertain - he made us laugh, made us care, and helped us understand the people behind the stories. His work brought heart and humanity to every role."

"His legacy lives on in the stories he helped bring to life. He was part of some of DStv's most loved productions, and his performances will continue to resonate. We will miss him dearly."

"Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues, and all who knew and loved him - including his second family at Tshedza Pictures - during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Mokwepa, Rest in peace our beloved Cobrizi…Your legacy will forever live on."

South Africa's National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) said "it joins the nation and global film community in mourning the untimely passing of Presley Chweneyagae" that it calls "a trailblazing actor whose talent, depth, and dedication elevated South African storytelling to global acclaim".

Dr Vince Blennies, NFVF CEO, says "Presley Chweneyagae 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."

Mzansi Magic adds Cobrizi as spinoff series from The River for March 2025 as 'gritty, heart-wrenching tale of survival'

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net is adding Cobrizi with Presley Chweneyagae in the role of Cobra as a 13-episode spinoff drama series from The River from March 2025 to the Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) schedule from March 2025.

Cobrizi, like The River, is produced by Tshedza Pictures and added several of The River cast, including Thapelo Sebogodi as Kabzela as Cobra's best friend, and Winnie Ntshaba.

Also part of the cast is Thembsie Matu as Ous Sheila, Sivenathi Mabuya as Bongiwe, Paul Maila as Rajah, Ishmauel Songo as Peanut, Chrispen Nyathi as Raisin, Thobani Mbhele as Bangkok, and Moliehi Didie Makobane as Teresia.

New talent include Siphiwe Radebe as Simphiwe, Kadia Banyini as Nkanyiso, Xolani Mfeka as Bab' Dladla, and Charmaine Mncwabe as Ama.

Mzansi Magic says Cobrizi will be a "gritty, heart-wrenching and ultimately hopeful tale of survival, love and redemption". In Cobrizi, Cobra "tries to do right by his youngest child and prove he is not a loser. He unexpectedly finds love after moving to inner-city Johannesburg".

Cobra's story will start off with the character as "the same troubled, angry man viewers knew from The River - a survivor whose only way out has been through theft and hustling".

"His anger burns at the failed social system that's left him trapped in poverty, fueling his belief in radical change. He is still drawn to his beer, women and taverns but even a man like Cobra can evolve... if life gives him a fighting chance."

Shirley Adonisi, M-Net director of local entertainment channels, in a statement says "Cobra's story really resonated with our Mzansi Magic viewers because of the way it presented the glamorous lives of the Dlamini-Dikanas compared to the struggling Mokoenas. It's a story of hope, resilience, and community".

"Presley really brought tremendous depth and humour to the character and this is a way to explore this tortured man's world and see if his anger could be focused into tenacity to help him try to create a better life for himself."