Obed Baloyi

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
Born1970 (age 52–53)
Diepkloof, South Africa
NationalitySouth African
Other namesObed Baloi
Years active1996–present
Children4
AwardsSAFTA

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 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

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

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2008 Triomf Sonny
2010 Jozi Jao
2013 Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Client
2016 The Last Face Atif

Television
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

Writing credits
  • Ga Mchangani (1996)
  • Via Soweto (1999)

Awards and nominations
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
  1. "Obed Baloyi speaks about being a street vendour and becoming an actor". Drum. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  2. Bambalele, Patience (2 September 2022). "Safta award as good as in the bag for Baloyi". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  3. "5 Interesting Facts To Know About DiepCity's Obed Baloyi". OkMzansi. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  4. 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.
  5. Moganed, Kgomotso (16 August 2016). "From poor street vendor to actor!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  6. Hlalethwa, Zaza (12 April 2019). "'Giyani' translates to viewers". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  7. Ferreira, Thinus (14 July 2022). "From The Wife to Tali's Baby Diary - All the 2022 Saftas nominations". Channel24. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
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