Primo Baloyi, son of soccer legend Lucas Radebe, initially wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps by playing for PSL teams Mpumalanga Black Aces and Bidvest Wits after matriculating in 2011. However, injuries changed the trajectory of his career and led him into the entertainment industry.
Success on Social Media
Baloyi has since carved his own path in showbiz as one of the most successful TikTokers in Mzansi. He has grown a following of 149K on Instagram and over 870 followers on TikTok. He hopes to take his career from the handset to the small screen.
TikTok as a Bridge
Baloyi sees TikTok as a bridge that opens very wide doors. “It’s not like you have to first go to a school to act, you can just showcase your talent. I’m respected by comedians right now. They have embraced me. All these different industries have embraced me, and I think it makes me feel I need to try now. I need to be brave and go head first into acting, comedy, and everything I do,” he told news reporters.
Making a Name for Himself
Baloyi wanted to kick-start his journey on his own with his name. “When I started I didn’t want anyone to know who my dad was because I knew that it would happen sooner or later, but I wanted to kick-start this journey on my own with my name and I’m blessed and having so much fun now.”
Image: Supplied
Continuing the Family Legacy
Despite not being able to play soccer anymore, Baloyi still dabbles in the sport off the field to continue his family’s legacy. Apart from his father, his grandmother used to own a soccer team, and his dad’s older brothers were also players. Baloyi has a soccer ball and a coaching license tattooed on his left hand.
Finding His Own Path
“I feel maybe becoming a soccer star was not my path, that was me trying my best to follow my dad’s footsteps, and when I finally came into my own I left football and started coaching,” Baloyi said. “When my TikTok became popular I decided to stop, but soccer is in our blood so I don’t want my talents, plans, and visions to go to waste. So I’m a football agent, a scout and a talent developer. My father paved the way for us to make a proper impact.”
Future Plans
Baloyi has a lot in the pipeline that his followers can anticipate. He’s glad to have found his own voice and make his father proud. “I’m trying to branch out. I want to expand myself because I know I have more talents and more to offer, and I’d like to explore those options. My father is really proud that I’ve gained my own success because he watched me try to be like him and now I’m more like him in my own way which is amazing. We’re flying the flag high.”