🕯️ SOUTH AFRICA MOURNS: Thabiso Ramotshela Pays Emotional Tribute to Late Star Presley Chweneyagae – RIP Cobrizi 🕊️😭

The South African entertainment world is in mourning after the tragic and sudden passing of Presley Chweneyagae, one of the country’s most beloved actors, best known for his iconic role in the Oscar-winning film Tsotsi.

But while tributes have come from politicians, fellow actors, and fans across the continent, one stood out in its intensity and honesty — that of young actor Thabiso Ramotshela, whose words have left the nation in tears.

In a moving video posted to social media just hours after the announcement of Chweneyagae’s death, Ramotshela appeared visibly shaken, his voice trembling as he tried to hold back tears.

“Morena.you were more than a legend to us.

You were light.

You were truth.

You were home,” he began, his eyes red and glassy, struggling to compose himself.

“RIP, Cobrizi.

I don’t even know how to say goodbye.

Thabiso, who had worked with Presley on multiple productions, including recent projects on Mzansi Magic and SABC, revealed that Chweneyagae was more than a co-star — he was a mentor, a protector, and a constant presence on set.

“Whenever I was nervous before a scene, he’d just look at me and nod — that nod meant ‘you’ve got this.

‘ He believed in all of us when we didn’t believe in ourselves.

The bond between the two actors had grown far beyond the screen.

Ramotshela described countless late-night conversations, lessons about life, and quiet moments where Chweneyagae would share his wisdom, often referencing the spiritual strength that earned him the nickname “Morena.

” The young actor recalled one instance, shortly after a difficult shooting day, where Presley pulled him aside and said, “This industry will eat you alive if you forget your purpose.

Be human before you act.

Fans flooded social media with grief and gratitude, praising Ramotshela for his courage in speaking while still processing his own pain.

Many noted how the tribute gave the public a rare, intimate glimpse into the real Presley Chweneyagae — not the celebrity, not the movie star, but the man behind the magic.

The post went viral within hours, with hashtags like #RIPCobrizi, #RestInPowerPresley, and #Morena trending across Twitter and Facebook.

Industry giants followed suit.

Connie Ferguson reposted Ramotshela’s video with a crying emoji and the words, “A king mourned by princes.

My heart breaks.

” Actor Zolisa Xaluva commented, “He raised a generation of storytellers.

Your words say what we all feel.

Presley Chweneyagae’s death has been a devastating blow, particularly for the youth in the entertainment space.

Born in Pretoria and raised in the township of Soshanguve, Chweneyagae’s rise to fame was the definition of inspirational.

From the dusty streets to the global stage, he embodied possibility.

His breakout role in Tsotsi didn’t just earn him international acclaim — it gave South Africans something they rarely see: themselves, raw and unapologetic, on the world’s biggest screens.

For Thabiso Ramotshela, and many like him, Presley was more than just a success story — he was the proof that greatness could come from anywhere.

“I watched Tsotsi when I was 8,” Ramotshela said in a past interview, “and I knew right then: that’s what I want to do.

I want to make people feel the way he made me feel.

As funeral arrangements are being finalized and fans prepare to say their final goodbyes, one thing is certain — the legacy of Presley Chweneyagae will live on, not just in his films, but in the hearts and performances of those he touched.

From mentoring young actors to advocating for arts education in townships, Chweneyagae never stopped giving.

Even in death, his impact grows stronger.

Ramotshela’s final words in the tribute have since been shared thousands of times: “You said acting is truth told beautifully.

You were truth, Morena.

And we’ll keep telling your story for as long as we breathe.

The screen has dimmed, the curtain has fallen, but the story of Presley Chweneyagae — Cobrizi, Morena, mentor, legend — will never fade.

🕊️