At the emotional funeral service of late actor Presley Chweneyagae, his longtime friend and fellow actor Warren Masemola delivered a heartfelt tribute that turned into a powerful message about alcohol abuse and accountability.
Speaking with a handkerchief in hand and tears in his eyes, Masemola opened up about his complicated friendship with Chweneyagae, revealing how their relationship was filled with love, concern, and sometimes frustration.
Actor Warren Masemola, delivered a moving tribute at the funeral of late actor Presley Chweneyagae.
Masemola shared an intimate memory, stating, "We used to kiss a lot, me and Presley Chweneyagae," highlighting the depth of their personal bond.#RIPPresleyChweneyagae pic.twitter.com/5lBhP4bkRZ
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) June 7, 2025“My friend and I fought a lot. Presley and I fought a lot,” Masemola said during the funeral held at Akasia Community Hall in Pretoria. The Tsotsi star was laid to rest at Zandfontein Cemetery on Saturday, two weeks after his untimely death at the age of 40.
According to The Citizen, Masemola’s tribute was more than just words of farewell. It was a wake-up call. He criticised South Africa’s drinking culture and called out friends who encouraged bad habits instead of helping Chweneyagae become a better family man.
“Alcohol is nice,” he said, “but if you love someone, you owe it to yourself to talk to the one you love and say, ‘Please, may we just call it a night? You have children at home. Go home, your family needs you.’”
Masemola’s words were met with loud applause and cheers as he described the dangers of excessive drinking. “We can’t start our day at seven in the morning by consuming alcohol and then get home at five the next morning — that’s 22 hours of being on the street drinking.”
He shared a personal story of how he once drove from Johannesburg to Pretoria to fetch Chweneyagae from a tavern in Pretoria North called Stasie Kombuis. When people laughed, Masemola quickly stopped the chuckles.
“Don’t laugh,” he said sternly. “His friends from Stasie Kombuis, have civic order. Teach your children civic order. Teach your wives civic order. Take accountability and responsibility in your lives.”
Masemola ended by quoting broadcaster Penny Lebyane, who once said that alcohol is strategically placed in black communities to destroy black lives. He added, “I don’t understand people who don’t fight with their friends. If you love somebody, love them fully and be there for them at every hour of their life.”
Many South Africans echoed Masemola’s words on social media. One user wrote on X, “The youth of South Africa, pay attention to what is being said here. Townships are being overloaded with alcohol.” Another added, “That’s a speech from the heart. What a friend. Condolences to all his friends and family.”
