OBED Baloyi said being a teenager in apartheid South Africa wasn’t easy.
“I had to find a way to make a better life for myself and my family. So I started selling tomatoes around the kasi.
“When I was at school I would sell sweets to the other pupils.
“I knew I had to find something to sell or else I would never have any pocket money,” he said.
The 46-year-old actor, known as Tsutsuma from the comedy series Ga Re Dumele, told Daily Sun his acting career started when he was in matric.
“I got my first acting job and played the role of a witchdoctor. That made me fall in love with acting.”
In 1996 he formed Mangava Drama Group and wrote the play Ga Mchangani, which was staged at the Market Theatre Laboratory’s Community Festival.
His play went on to the Zwakala Festival and went mainstream at the Market Theatre.
It wasn’t long after that when he appeared on Dube on Monday, Emzini Wezinsizwa, Yizo Yizo 3 and Heartlines.
“In 2010 I got a call from playwright Martin Koboekae. He told me they were holding auditions at the SABC for a sitcom.
“I went to the audition and they were looking for someone with originality.
“I knew I had nailed the audition.
“Later that day I got a call telling me the role was mine. That’s how I got into Ga Re Dumele.”
Obed, a father of four, is an actor at heart, but he is also an Orlando Pirates fan and likes to spend his time with his community members.
“I like being among people. One day you may bump into me on a train, the other on a taxi. That’s who I am.
“I’m also a spiritual person and a ZCC member. And I never slip up – on Sundays I go to church.”
He also likes cooking and sometimes prepares a meal for his family.
“I love mushrooms, fish, olives and Greek salad with rice,” said Obed.
