‘Me and Khelina, spiritually, we were married,’–Obed Baloyi on his late on-screen ‘wife’

Veteran actor Obed Baloyi shared how the on-screen chemistry he shared with late actress Lebohang Mpyana was even strong off-screen. He was speaking at her memorial service at the Joburg Theatre.

“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,” he said to loud raptures of laughter in the theatre.

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.

“Immediately, I took my phone and called Khelz number and rang and there was no response I then called somebody to confirm and they told me it was true. Our last conversation was on Friday,” said Baloyi.

The award winning telenovela ended in March this year after two successful seasons.

ALSO READ: ‘DiepCity’ actress Lebohang Mpyana has died at 34

Remembering Khelina

On Wednesday family, friends, colleagues and fans of Mpyana came in numbers to remember the bubbly entertainer at a memorial service hosted by entertainer Bujy Bikwa.

There was good attendance from fellow thespians such as Warren Masemola, media personality Nomsa Buthelezi and actor Clement Maosa.

Mpyana portrayed the character of Khelina while Baloyi played the role of Ringo on DiepCity. The two were a lovely couple much-loved by fans.

Mpyana’s uncle, speaking at the memorial service, said although the 34 year-old actress had no children and wasn’t married, at least they saw the on screen wedding on the Mzansi Magic telenovela.

“I heard the uncle speak earlier on saying son in-law, it’s true because when I sit down and think about the way Khelina and I used to talk. I wouldn’t go a week without calling her,” said Baloyi.

Such was their chemistry that Baloyi said ordinary South Africans have been coming to his house, to pay their respects for the loss of Mpyana.

“They come in and say ‘sorry, we came to pay our condolences’ and my wife gets startled,” said Baloyi.

Actors Hamilton Dlamini, Dawn Thandeka King and director Mandla N were some of the stand out speakers on the day. The proceedings were closed-off by a performance by Makhadzi.

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