Obed Baloyi Explained

Birth Place:Diepkloof, South Africa
Nationality:South African
Othername:Obed Baloi
Children:4
Awards:SAFTA
Yearsactive:1996–present

Obed Baloyi (born 1970) is a South African actor and playwright. He won a SAFTA for his performance as TsuTsuma in the sitcom Ga Re Dumele (2010–2019).

Early life

Baloyi is from Diepkloof, Gauteng. He speaks Xitsonga natively as well as English, Zulu, and SeSotho. He attended Shingwezi High School in Malamulele where he first participated in drama productions. He helped out with his mother's food vending growing up. He joined the Melaisizwe theatre group.[1] Upon returning to Johannesburg, Baloyi took acting classes at the Donaldson Orlando Cultural Club (DOCC) under the mentorship of actors such as Darlington Michaels.[2]

Career

In 1996, Baloyi formed the Mangava Drama Group. He wrote the play Ga-Mchangani, which was staged at the Market Theatre and then the Zwakala Festival. His next play Via Soweto premiered at the 1999 Barney Simon Young Directors and Playwrights Festival.[3]

Baloyi turned his focus towards the screen in 2000, making his television debut in the second season of the educational youth show Soul Buddyz. He returned for its fourth season as well, this time playing Prins. He appeared in season 2 of A Place Called Home. He made his feature film debut in Triomf (2008), an adaptation of the 1994 novel by Marlene van Niekerk.

In 2010, Baloyi landed the role of TsuTsuma in Ga Re Dumele, a role he would play for all six seasons of the sitcom. For his performance, Baloyi was nominated twice for Best Actor in a TV Comedy at the South African Film and Television Awards, winning his latter nomination in 2014.

Baloyi starred in the first season of on SABC 2 and returned for its second season, this time in a recurring role. From 2021 to 2022, Baloyi was in the main cast of the Mzansi Magic crime drama DiepCity as Ringo. For its second and final season, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Telenovela at the SAFTAs that year.[4]

Personal life

Baloyi has four children. He is a member of the Zion Christian Church.[5]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2008TriomfSonny
2010JoziJao
2013Client
2016The Last FaceAtif

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002–2003; 2007Soul BuddyzJoe / PrinsSeason 2, 4
2004Yizo YizoZwepeSeason 3
2005Scandal!Ezra
Mzee wa Two SixFriendGuest role
2006Izoso ConnexionChip RobberGuest role
HeartlinesCaptain HlatswayoAnthology
2007–2010NomzamoMziziSeasons 2–3
2008A Place Called HomeBluesSeason 2
2009The PhilanthropistNative ManPilot
2010–2019Ga Re DumeleTsutsumaMain role
2011Laugh Out LoudMashangane
Sokhulu & PartnersSergeantSeason 2
2015MajakathataDzunisaniSeason 2
eKasi: Our StoriesSobantuSeason 6
2015–2016High RollersKhan
2018LibertyMorganMiniseries
IsibayaMkongwaneSeason 6
2019–2021Hlengani Joseph ChavalalaMain role (season 1)
Recurring role (season 2)[6]
2021– 2023DiepCityRingoMain role (season 1 - 2)

Stage

Writing credits

Awards and nominations

Year AwardCategoryWorkResult Ref.
2012South African Film and Television AwardsBest Actor in a TV ComedyGa Re Dumele
2014
2022Best Supporting Actor in a TelenovelaDiepCity[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Obed Baloyi speaks about being a street vendour and becoming an actor. Drum. 16 September 2016. 24 August 2021.
  2. Web site: Safta award as good as in the bag for Baloyi. Sowetan Live. Patience. Bambalele. 2 September 2022. 12 September 2022.
  3. Web site: 5 Interesting Facts To Know About DiepCity's Obed Baloyi. OkMzansi. 19 August 2021.
  4. Web site: 'Play very far from her' – DiepCity's Ringo warns men to lay off his Khelina. Drum. Bonolo. Sekudu. 26 July 2021. 24 August 2021.
  5. Web site: From poor street vendor to actor!. Daily Sun. Kgomotso. Moganed. 16 August 2016. 24 August 2021.
  6. Web site: ‘Giyani’ translates to viewers. Mail & Guardian. Zaza. Hlalethwa. 12 April 2019. 24 August 2021.
  7. Web site: From The Wife to Tali's Baby Diary - All the 2022 Saftas nominations. Channel24. Thinus. Ferreira. 14 July 2022. 16 July 2022.