JOHANNESBURG (AP) 鈥 Presley Chweneyagae, the South African actor who gained international recognition for his leading role in the 2005 film "Tsotsi", which won South Africa鈥檚 first ever Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, has died. He was 40 years old.
His talent agency MLA on Tuesday confirmed Chweneyagae's death and said South Africa had lost one of its 鈥渕ost gifted and beloved actors.鈥
鈥淗is passion for empowering the next generation of artists will remain integral to his legacy,鈥 MLA CEO Nina Morris Lee said in a statement. She gave no details about the cause of death.
Chweneyagae鈥檚 three-decade-long career spanned theatre, television, and film.
His award-winning performance in 鈥淭sotsi,鈥 based on the 1961 novel by South Africa鈥檚 preeminent playwright Athol Fugard and directed by Gavin Hood, catapulted him to international stardom.
Chweneyagae was also a gifted writer and director, co-authoring the internationally acclaimed stage play 鈥淩elativity鈥 with Paul Grootboom.
The South African government paid tribute to Chweneyagae, lauding his outstanding contribution to the film, television and theatre fraternity.
鈥淭he nation mourns the loss of a gifted storyteller whose talent lit up our screens and hearts,鈥 the government said in a post on X. 鈥淵our legacy will live on through the powerful stories you told.鈥
The South Africa Film and Television Awards organization, known as SAFTA, paid tribute to Chweneyagae, calling him a 鈥渢rue legend of South African Cinema" on X.
鈥淩est in Power 鈥 a powerhouse performer whose talent left an indelible mark on our screens and in our hearts,鈥 SAFTA posted.
The secretary general of the ANC, the party that dominated South African politics for 30 years, offered his condolences.
Fikile Mbalula described Chweneyagae as a 鈥済iant of South African film and theatre.鈥
鈥淗is legacy in 鈥楾sotsi,鈥 鈥楾he River,鈥 and beyond will live on. Condolences to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his brilliance,鈥 Mbalula said.
