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).
Obed Baloyi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1970 (age 53–54) Diepkloof, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Other names | Obed Baloi |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Children | 4 |
| Awards | SAFTA |
Early life
editBaloyi 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
editIn 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.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
Baloyi starred in the first season of Giyani: Land of Blood 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
editBaloyi has four children. He is a member of the Zion Christian Church.[5]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Triomf | Sonny | |
| 2010 | Jozi | Jao | |
| 2013 | Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom | Client | |
| 2016 | The Last Face | Atif | |
| 2024 | Lobola Man | Uncle Long John |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–2003; 2007 | Soul Buddyz | Joe / Prins | Season 2, 4 |
| 2004 | Yizo Yizo | Zwepe | Season 3 |
| 2005 | Scandal! | Ezra | |
| Mzee wa Two Six | Friend | Guest role | |
| 2006 | Izoso Connexion | Chip Robber | Guest role |
| Heartlines | Captain Hlatswayo | Anthology | |
| 2007–2010 | Nomzamo | Mzizi | Seasons 2–3 |
| 2008 | A Place Called Home | Blues | Season 2 |
| 2009 | The Philanthropist | Native Man | Pilot |
| 2010–2019 | Ga Re Dumele | Tsutsuma | Main role |
| 2011 | Laugh Out Loud | Mashangane | |
| Sokhulu & Partners | Sergeant | Season 2 | |
| 2015 | Majakathata | Dzunisani | Season 2 |
| eKasi: Our Stories | Sobantu | Season 6 | |
| 2015–2016 | High Rollers | Khan | |
| 2018 | Liberty | Morgan | Miniseries |
| Isibaya | Mkongwane | Season 6 | |
| 2019–2021 | Giyani: Land of Blood | Hlengani Joseph Chavalala | Main role (season 1) Recurring role (season 2)[6] |
| 2021– 2023 | DiepCity | Ringo | Main role (season 1 - 2) |
Stage
editWriting credits
edit- Ga Mchangani (1996)
- Via Soweto (1999)
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | South African Film and Television Awards | Best Actor in a TV Comedy | Ga Re Dumele | Nominated | |
| 2014 | Won | ||||
| 2022 | Best Supporting Actor in a Telenovela | DiepCity | Nominated | [7] |
References
edit- ^ "Obed Baloyi speaks about being a street vendour and becoming an actor". Drum. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
- ^ Bambalele, Patience (2 September 2022). "Safta award as good as in the bag for Baloyi". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
- ^ "5 Interesting Facts To Know About DiepCity's Obed Baloyi". OkMzansi. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ Sekudu, Bonolo (26 July 2021). "'Play very far from her' – DiepCity's Ringo warns men to lay off his Khelina". Drum. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
- ^ Moganed, Kgomotso (16 August 2016). "From poor street vendor to actor!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
- ^ Hlalethwa, Zaza (12 April 2019). "'Giyani' translates to viewers". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
- ^ Ferreira, Thinus (14 July 2022). "From The Wife to Tali's Baby Diary - All the 2022 Saftas nominations". Channel24. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
External links
edit- Obed Baloyi at IMDb
- Obed Baloyi at TVSA