Joe Kazadi (born in 1991) is a popular actor, model, dancer, and chef in South Africa. He is known to many television viewers in the country for being a macho guy. The actor is also proud of his body and flaunts his six-pack abs on social media. His well-toned body has made him the target of many female crushes, and some even address him as “one of the sexiest men in South Africa”. He gained prominence by playing Mr. Phillipe in Uzalo.
Joe Kazadi was born in the Congo in 1991 and spent his childhood there. He and his mother Esther Mbuyi moved to South Africa from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) when he was ten years old. His fresh life in Durban was fraught with prejudicial beliefs. An employer opened his eyes to what has made him who he is now when he was working as a waiter. Because he had a “good look,” the customer advised him to pursue becoming a model or an actor.
He was quick to buy the idea, tried it out, and went ahead to a modeling agency to sign up. After spending some months at the agency, he scored a modeling gig. Modeling brought the young man more income, and then he had to relocate to Johannesburg. He left his former place of residence in 2009 to expand his new profession.
This came after he lost his job as a chef. Though at that time, the Congo-born had to borrow his transport fare from a friend. On the bus to Johannesburg, he encountered a little problem, the R120, he borrowed was not enough. Upon pleading with the driver, he allowed Joe to sit where the luggage was in the trailer. The driver checked up on him at each bus stop noticing that he was uncomfortable, but he arrived safely in the city. Finding a place to lay his head was another challenge, and so he decided to sleep in an abandoned building. He remained there for a couple of nights and there he had companies, rats.
Joe did not complete his academic studies since he dropped out early. He dropped out of school to help his mother, who was unemployed, and was fortunate to find employment as a waiter at a restaurant. Joe, who was still young at the time, desired more and enrolled in a culinary arts school. He was able to pay his tuition using the money he obtained as a waiter.
In 2011, he moved to Johannesburg after being introduced to Ice Model Management. More challenges came as he was homeless and walked a long distance for interviews and castings. He slept on the street and had no idea what his next meal would be. These challenges became his sources of motivation to put in more effort. They say, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” Perhaps that was his case.
Today, Joe has a home in Johannesburg and there he lives with his girlfriend. Though Joe or his girlfriend (who prefers not to be named) rather say nothing about her identity on social media. He is a father to a daughter called Omotola Zizipho Kazadi. He shares pictures of him and his daughter on social media.
He was “a very good” footballer in Durban before deciding to become an actor. According to him, he was the Stella Football Club’s leading scorer. He believes that his soccer experience had a significant part in his ability to play Thabiso. The actor has gained reputation as an actor and has established a career in the industry throughout the years. He’s built a reputation for himself in the profession, earning him the opportunity to represent Africa in Hollywood.
His body stature has given him an edge over other actors in landing several roles. In one of the most-viewed series in the country, Uzalo, he was cast as the businessman Mr. Phillipe. Joe was cast in another popular South African soap opera, The Queen. On the show, he played the role that makes many dislike the character. The character raped his girlfriend, who refused to get married to him. Do not mistake Joe for the jerk he played on the screen. He is a Christian and a family man who has high respect for the opposite gender, women.
The popular actor’s net worth is reported to be approximately USD 1.3 million. Making him one of South Africa’s most wealthy actors.