Obed Shimange
Lives in: Giyani
Age: 33 Obed is from Limpopo. He is a hawker and sells fruit and vegetables in Giyani, mainly oranges, bananas and immune boosters (vitamin tablets). His partner is a school teacher and he has two little girls.
He lives with his extended family, including his parents. “I finished matric, have a teaching diploma and computer literacy diploma, I just seem to have trouble finding a good job.”
“Luck has not been on my side so far. I hope things will improve when people get to know me in Fear Factor and see what I’m capable of. But please understand that I am not ungrateful to be a hawker, I am actually very grateful and happy that I can support my family and I work hard at it – I am on my corner everyday from 5.30am to 11pm and all my customers know me.”
Obed practices karate at the local recreation centre and enjoys working out everyday. He enjoys creative writing and has written a radio drama about a Shangani man that rose above obstacles to become a successful businessman. The drama aired on MLFM.
Obed is well known in Sekgopo village where he saved people from a building that fell over during a heavy storm. This Fear Factor hero also saved a newborn baby from a deep pit toilet in Sekgopo, the baby became part of the Mashele family and is now twelve years old.
“I am very fit”, says Obed. “Probably from the karate but also from walking everywhere because I don’t have a car. If I win Fear Factor – I will expand my business and open a fruit market. I will also open a clothing account because I have not been able to before as hawking is not seen as a good job. But hey – maybe I can be an actor, I would love that!”
More about Obed: “My most prized possession is a bedroom suite from Joshua Doore that I paid off and the worst thing that ever happened to me is when my father died – I went all the way to see him because I heard he was very sick – but when I got there they said that my father died five minutes ago.”
“I like music. My best is reggae like Toots and the Metals. My favourite food is pap and vleis. I don’t like it when people argue and don’t try to get on with each other. I believe in always making peace with people. I am inspired by church and by watching Jean Claude van Damme movies. I like that he is an action man and can go anywhere and always wins over the bad guys, and of course I love his karate moves.”