Presley Chweneyagae honoured with tribute on DStv and Showmax

South Africa is mourning the loss of a homegrown legend. Presley Chweneyagae, the talent who took our stories to the global stage, passed away this week at the age of just 40. In tribute, DStv and Showmax are celebrating his life and career with a line-up of special programming, including the Oscar-winning Tsotsi and the much-anticipated season finale of Cobrizi, plus a curated selection of his standout performances across film and television.

From Tsotsi to Cobrizi

The world first met Presley in 2006, when Tsotsi won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Just 20 years old at the time, his portrayal of a hardened township thug whose life changes when he discovers a baby in the back seat of a stolen car was raw, moving and unforgettable. The film, based on Athol Fugard’s novel and directed by Gavin Hood, became a milestone in South African cinema.

Starring alongside Terry Pheto, Kenneth Nkosi, Jerry Mofokeng and Rapulana Seiphemo, Presley’s performance was widely praised – winning him the Black Movie Award for Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role. He held his own in a category that included the likes of Denzel Washington and Cuba Gooding Jr. Not bad for a first-time film actor.

But Presley was never one to chase Hollywood lights. After Tsotsi, he returned home, throwing himself into theatre classics like Hamlet, Julius Caesar and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He co-wrote the acclaimed play Relativity, and directed the award-winning Cell No. 4, proving himself a powerhouse both on stage and behind the scenes.

Then came The River and Thuso ‘Cobra’ Mokoena. Presley’s role as the fast-talking, charming and endlessly complicated Cobra became an instant hit, landing him two SAFTA Golden Horn awards for Best Actor in a Telenovela (2019 and 2024). The character even got his own spin-off, Cobrizi, with Presley taking on double duty as both lead actor and executive producer.

A legacy worth celebrating

To honour this remarkable career, DStv and Showmax are hosting a week of programming that highlights Presley’s most memorable work. It kicks off with special screenings of Tsotsi, available across Showmax, M-Net, Mzansi Magic and Mzansi Bioskop and culminates with the finale of Cobrizi, a fitting farewell to one of his most iconic characters.

Cobrizi, named after the nickname Cobra earned on The River, has been a gritty, emotional ride, full of love, loss and redemption. The final episode airs on Saturday, 8 June, and promises to be one for the books.

Mzansi Bioskop will also be screening a selection of Presley’s films, including Zama Zama, State of Violence, iNumber Number, and a final tribute with Tsotsi once again on 12 June.

Where to watch Presley Chweneyagae

Friday 6 June: Tsotsi – M-Net (DStv 101) at 9pm | Also streaming on Showmax and DStv Stream

Saturday 7 June: Tsotsi – Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) at 8pm | Available on DStv Stream and Catch Up

Sunday 8 June: Cobrizi – Season Finale – Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) at 8pm

Monday 9 June: Zama Zama – Mzansi Bioskop (DStv 164) at 9pm

Tuesday 10 June: State of Violence – Mzansi Bioskop (DStv 164) at 9pm

Wednesday 11 June: iNumber Number – Mzansi Bioskop (DStv 164) at 9pm

Thursday 12 June: Tsotsi (Encore) – Mzansi Bioskop (DStv 164) at 9pm

Sunday 15 June: Tsotsi – M-Net Movies 4 (DStv 108) at 8pm