{"id":10956,"date":"2025-06-23T14:38:15","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T12:38:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=10956"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:27:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:27:48","slug":"mpho-popps-presley-chweneyagae-skit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/mpho-popps-presley-chweneyagae-skit\/","title":{"rendered":"Mpho Popps Faces Backlash for Including Late Presley Chweneyagae\u2019s Memorial in Comedy Skit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Comedian Mpho Popps has sparked controversy after releasing a comedy skit that references the memorial service of the late actor Presley Chweneyagae. The skit, which imitates speeches delivered during Chweneyagae\u2019s memorial, has divided public opinion. It drew both criticism and support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ALSO READ:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/youngins-cast-reveal-final-season\/\">Youngins\u2019 Cast Reveal Final Season to Explore Soweto\u2019s Youth Challenges<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"details-of-the-skit-and-public-reaction\">Details of the Skit and Public Reaction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the sketch, Mpho Popps impersonates actor Israel Matseke-Zulu\u2019s speech from the memorial. This is followed by fellow comedian Tsitsi mimicking actor Warren Masemola. The skit also features actress Farieda Metsileng, Warren and other well-known personalities. The video\u2019s background includes photos of the late Presley Chweneyagae, who passed away in May 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While some viewers found the skit humorous, many criticised it as disrespectful and inappropriate. This was especially given the recent nature of Chweneyagae\u2019s passing. Social media users expressed outrage, calling the timing \u201ctoo soon.\u201d They accused Popps of exploiting the late actor\u2019s death for comedy. Comments ranged from disappointment to outright condemnation, with some urging the comedian to show more sensitivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>CHECK OUT:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/kings-of-joburg-south-africa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Star-Studded \u2018Kings of Jo\u2019burg\u2019 Season 3 Premiere Lights Up Sandton<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-255721567\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"mpho-popps-responds-to-the-backlash\">Mpho Popps Responds to the Backlash<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Addressing the controversy in an interview on <em>The Way Up<\/em> with Nia Brown and Okay Wasabi on YFM, Mpho Popps clarified the intent behind the skit. He explained that the comedy was not aimed at mocking Presley Chweneyagae himself but rather Warren Masemola\u2019s speech at the memorial. Popps highlighted that Masemola was part of the sketch. He stated that the humour was meant to be meta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Popps also emphasised the close relationships between the late actor and those involved in the skit. He stated that Presley was known for his sense of humour and that he believed the actor would have appreciated the tribute if he were alive. According to Popps, the sketch was intended as a form of honouring Presley in a way that reflected his personality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MphoPopps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@MphoPopps<\/a> was in the building! \ud83d\ude2e\u200d\ud83d\udca8 IYKYK that he\u2019s having a Comedy Special called \u2018Back Like I Never Left\u2018. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TheWayUp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#TheWayUp<\/a> squad got to ask him about being a comedian and his special coming up on the 27th &amp; 28th June. Get your tickets now! \ud83d\ude4c\ud83c\udffe <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/2R2x70LOxn\">pic.twitter.com\/2R2x70LOxn<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Y (@Yfm) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Yfm\/status\/1935977301197344835?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">June 20, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Yfm\/status\/1935977301197344835\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">X (Twitter)<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-debate-on-comedy-and-respect\">The Debate on Comedy and Respect<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The incident has reignited discussions about the boundaries of comedy, especially when it involves sensitive topics such as death and memorials. Supporters of Popps argue that comedians often use satire to process grief. They believed the sketch was a form of tribute rather than disrespect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Conversely, critics maintain that certain subjects require careful handling. They argue that comedy should not cross lines that cause pain to grieving families and fans. The timing of the skit, so soon after Chweneyagae\u2019s death, was a particular <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizen.co.za\/entertainment\/celebrity-news\/mpho-popps-dragged-for-using-late-presley-chweneyagaes-memorial-in-comedy-skit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">point of contention<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mpho Popps\u2019 comedy skit referencing Presley Chweneyagae\u2019s memorial has <a href=\"https:\/\/fakazanews.com\/2025\/06\/19\/mpho-popps-dragged-for-using-presleys-death-for-comedy-video\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">generated mixed reactions<\/a>, highlighting the delicate balance between humour and respect. While Popps defends his work as a heartfelt tribute, public sensitivity remains high. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Too Soon? \ud83e\udd37\ud83c\udffe\u200d\u2642\ufe0f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/W3MAdtYH91\">pic.twitter.com\/W3MAdtYH91<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Mpho Popps Modikoane (@MphoPopps) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MphoPopps\/status\/1935369837338833310?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">June 18, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MphoPopps\/status\/1935369837338833310\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">X (Twitter)<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Comedian Mpho Popps has sparked controversy after releasing a comedy skit that references the memorial service of the late actor Presley Chweneyagae. The skit, which imitates speeches delivered during Chweneyagae\u2019s memorial, has divided public opinion. It drew both criticism and support. ALSO READ: Youngins\u2019 Cast Reveal Final Season to Explore Soweto\u2019s Youth Challenges Details of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":10987,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Comedian Mpho Popps has sparked controversy after releasing a comedy skit that references the memorial service of the late actor Presley Chweneyagae. The skit,...","footnotes":""},"categories":[1707,1706],"tags":[2836,4321,2068],"class_list":{"0":"post-10956","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-celebrity-news","8":"category-entertainment","9":"tag-celebrity-news","10":"tag-funeral","11":"tag-presley-chweneyagae"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10956","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10956"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10956\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10990,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10956\/revisions\/10990"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10987"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10956"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10956"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10956"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}