OBED BALOYI FALLEN ON HARD TIMES
The legendary Xitsonga actor Obed Baloyi says that DiepCity coming to an end was a big blow for him.
“It’s bad, really bad, and I have all the time in the world now. into people in the streets, and they stop me to ask, ‘When are you coming back? We want you; we miss you’.”
Baloyi, who portrayed the role of Ringo in the cancelled telenovela adds that he knows people miss him. He also misses being on TV as acting is his life.
“Nowadays I get projects as a side hustle just to survive because I’m a father and I need to put food on the table. Sometimes people tell me all this is happening because of the tribe I’m from.”
“If I was Sotho, Zulu or Afrikaner it would’ve been better. It hurts what’s happening to me, but those are people’s views.”
The legendary actor also thanks Mandla N and Martin Koboekae for always checking up on him and answering his calls because others no longer answer his calls.
“My fans are my source of motivation. I’ve got fans everywhere in the country and I’m humble, so fans get to interact with me. I want to go back to TV. I’m always hungry for performance.”
The award-winning telenovela came to an end in March 2023 after airing its first episode in April 2021.
The veteran actor bid farewell to his Diep City co-star, lebohang Mpyana who played his wife Khelina in the telenovela.
The popular influencer, MC and actress Lebohang ‘Lettie’ Mpyana died on Wednesday, 1 November 2023 after a short illness.
According to The Citizen, Baloyi revealed that the on-screen chemistry he shared with the late actress was even strong off-screen.
He revealed at her memorial service that he called Mpyana his “sweetheart” in front of his real wife.
“When I speak with Khelina on the phone, at home in front of my wife, you can ask yourself questions as to what’s going on because I called her sweetheart. Whenever I speak with Khelina over the phone she would say ‘I love you baby’ and I would say ‘I love you sweetheart’ something which I don’t do with my wife.”
Former DiepCity actress Lebohang Mpyana died a week ago after a short illness, which was confirmed by a statement from her family on Facebook. Baloyi said he got the call about Mpyana’s passing while watching a Sundowns match.