Julius Malema Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Presley Chweneyagae: “He Was a Very Good Role Model”

• EFF leader Julius Malema visited Presley Chweneyagae's family on Wednesday, 4 June 2025
• Malema praised Presley Chweneyagae's contribution to South Africa's film industry, as well as his down-to-earth character
• Malema offered to assist the Chweneyagae family who are set to lay the actor to rest on Saturday, 7 June 2025
• Briefly News spoke to grief counsellor Paula Quinsee who gave a four step plan on how grieving loved ones can deal with negative comments

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) President Julius Malema became the latest high-profile politician to pay tribute to the late talented actor Presley Chweneyagae who suddenly passed away on Tuesday 27 May 2025 at the age of 40.

This comes after Minister of Electricity Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa also mourned the Cobrizi actor with a heartfelt tribute.

Julius Malema raves about Presley Chweneyagae

Malema took his condolence message off social media and visited the home of the late actor in Pretoria on Wednesday, 4 June 2025. According to a report by Daily Sun, the outspoken politician disclosed why he and other party officials had visited the Chweneyagae residence. Malema also heaped praise on the late actor for the role he played in putting South Africa’s film industry on the map.

"We are here to send our condolences to the family. Presley was a very good actor. He put South Africa on the international map when the movie Tsotsi won an Oscar Award. We started to appreciate that we got talent in our country," Malema said.

Malema echoed the same sentiments by speakers at Presley’s first memorial on Tuesday 3 June 2025. He described Chweneyagae as a down-to-earth celebrity who didn’t throw his weight around.

Malema offers to assist Presley Chweneyagae's family

Malema said he had assured the late actor’s family that EFF was mourning the loss of their son, husband and father with them.

Presley Chweneyagae’s family previously confirmed that a second memorial will be held at the State Theatre in Tshwane on Thursday, 5 June 2025. They also confirmed the funeral details stating that Presley Chweneyagae would be laid to rest in Tshwane on Saturday, 7 June 2025.

Speaking to Briefly News grief counsellor shared a four-step plan on how grieving families can deal with negative comments. She said:

"When someone is grieving and they are confronted with hurtful comments, the best way to approach it is as follows: Acknowledge your feelings and that it’s okay to feel hurt, angry, or confused. Suppressing your emotions just delays the healing process. Set boundaries to take care of your emotional wellbeing. You are not obligated to engage in or listen to conversations that cause you pain. If need, politely remove yourself from the situation or express that you don’t want to partake in this type of conversation and make a request for your grieving process to be respected. Seek support if need by leaning into those people who knew and respected the person as you did. Surrounding yourself with positive influences and memories can help keep your emotions in balance. Try to understand the source of where the criticism or hurtful remarks are coming from, often it is from people’s own issues which is more about them than the deceased person or you. Use your own discretion and the memory of the person you lost on your own terms, not in reaction to someone else's perspective or judgment. Yes everyone has positive and negative traits and you can choose to see those as you see fit."

Presley Chweneyagae's wife pays tribute to him

Presley Chweneyagae's wife Charlaine Kirk Chweneyagae had an opportunity to pay tribute to her husband at his memorial at Mmabatho Convention Centre in Mahikeng.

In a video shared online, Kirk's sister-in-law, Bianca Carmicheal spoke on behalf of Chweneyagae's wife at the ceremony.

The actor's wife said it is hard to imagine a world without her husband's laughter.

Kirk adds that her husband didn't demand attention, but carried quiet power, charm, and grace.

Actor Israel Matseke-Zulu, who starred opposite Chweneyagae in Tsotsi also honoured him at the ceremony on Tuesday, 3 June 2025.

Musa Khawula slams Presley Chweneyagae after his death

Meanwhile, not everyone remembered the late Presley Chweneyagae glowingly.

Briefly News reported that Musa Khawula slammed Presley Chweneyagae following his untimely passing.

In true Musa Khawula fashion, the controversial celebrity gossip monger took a low blow and mocked Presley Chweneyagae, calling him a deadbeat dad. Khawula claimed that the former The River actor had blown his fortune on women and alcohol.

In a separate post, Khawula angered netizens when he resurfaced gender based violence allegations against Presley Chweneyagae.

Source: Briefly News