Skeem Saam actor Africa Tsoai “John Maputla” is more than a TV playboy
Because of his sophisticated portrayal of the casanova personas of John Maputla and Tsokotla, Africa Tsoai is more than just the original TV playboy.
Aside from Skeem Saam and Mokgonyana Mmatswale, not much is known about the 53-year-old actor’s intriguing life on Google. During our heartfelt conversation with Sowetan, we learned that he’s been a taxi owner for more than 20 years.
The actor was born in Hebron-Graskop, Mpumalanga, a place just below God’s Window. However, Tsoai grew up with his grandmother, uncles, cousins, and extended families as parents. As a result of his own parents being predominantly absent.
His big acting break came in 1989. When he was cast in the local drama Dawson Goes Home From there, the roles came flowing as he worked closely with the former Safritel, SABC’s in-house production arm. Which helmed many local shows.
After matriculating, Africa studied graphic design at Rudolph College in Johannesburg. He was a self-taught fine arts enthusiast and got his diploma in 1989. Thereafter, he did a sound engineering course at Inhouse Records in Randburg in 2000.
In 1996, he started his own business, and he has worked as a photographer and model. He has done impressive work in local drama series and international movies. And he has also worked as a taxi driver; today, he is a successful taxi boss.
The Skeem Saam actor is blessed with four children. And he is a married man, although information about the actor’s wife and his children is not known to the public.
Africa Tsoai is a man who likes to keep his life private. Therefore, any private details about his family haven’t been declared to the public.
Appreciation post for John Maputla “Africa Tsoai” he never take sides, he always listen to two sides of story #SkeemSaam pic.twitter.com/WJOAIzHlZ7
— 16______June (@koma_simon) December 9, 2020
Africa has the bag, and he is an entrepreneur in real life. The actor runs a transport and logistic business which transport perishable vegetables from one place to another. He is also a Sound Engineer by profession, and he owns a studio that recently signed a deal with SABC. Tsoai is, unlike other actors who play rich roles whilst in real life, they are bankrupt.
He is earning a lot from his business investments and acting career and has a huge net worth to show for it. Africa recently hogged headlines after his salary at Skeem Saam leaked. He is one of the most paid actors on the cast.
As of 2023, Africa has a net worth of R6 million, which is reasonable for someone getting a salary of R115.00 per month. He is indeed living an expensive life, although he likes to keep it off-camera.
