Actor never forgets his Germiston roots
Former Primrose Hill resident Tobie Cronjé stars in new movie.
He is a stage and screen icon and loved by many South Africans.
But did you know Tobie Cronjé was born and bred in Germiston?
“What I remember most about the area were the open fields,” Tobie said.
“We used to walk through the open veld and play on the koppies.”
The GCN caught up with him just before the release of his new movie, “Die Rebellie Van Lafras Verwey”, in which Tobie plays the lead.
In the film, Tobie plays Lafras Verwey, an outcast who could never accept the realities of life.
Although he is a government official he hears the sound of otherworldly music playing in his ears and dreams of a wonderful future.
He considers himself a key player in the preparation of a significant rebellion which he believes will change the word.
Comedy, drama and elements of fantasy are all intertwined in this gripping tale of a man who is willing to risk everything in his pursuit to make the world a better place for all.
The film is set to open at cinemas nationwide on April 7.
Tobie was born at a clinic in Elsburg in 1948 before being taken home to Primrose Hill by his parents, Hendrik and Dorothy, to meet his older siblings, Dawie and Teresa.
Tobie attended primary school at Môrelig and matriculated at Hoërskool Vryburger High School.
“I lived in Primrose Hill all my life until I went to study at the University of Pretoria,” Tobie said.
“After matric I didn’t go to the army as they found I was colour blind, not severely so, but enough to make me medically unfit for the army.
“I worked at Old Mutual in Johannesburg doing car insurance for a while and then decided to further my music career and started teaching students at my music teacher Hester Beukes’ school.
“I then found nine students in Katlehong and at that time it was extremely interesting just trying to get to my students, I needed a special permit just to enter the area.”
Tobie enrolled at the University of Pretoria to study a BMus.
He is a skilled piano player and told the GCN he attributes his musicality to his parents, who both played the violin. His mother played the piano as well. When they were younger his parents were members of the Symphonic Orchestra.
His sister Teresa is also a talented piano player and still teaches music in Primrose Hill.
When Tobie was set to start his BMus degree he saw a play performed by PACT and fell in love with the theatre.
His BMus degree turned into a BDrama degree and once completed he got a job with PACT.
“At first my parents were a bit anxious but once I got a job and was earning my own money they were fine with my choice,” Tobie said.
He worked for PACT for five years before becoming a freelance actor after auditioning successfully for the television show “Willem” in 1976, which made him a household name.
“I still prefer the theatre as you have a connection with your audience and get a response from them,” he said.
Tobie told the GCN that he enjoyed working on “Die Rebellie Van Lafras Verwey” although it was challenging.
“Since I started acting I have always battled with learning dialogue and in this movie my character has a lot of dialogue.
“But it was wonderful working with Simon Barnard, the director. He got me to deliver a good film performance.
“It was also interesting working with Katinka Heyns as the producer, as I have worked with her often as a director.”
Tobie, who now lives in Auckland Park, still often returns to his old home town to visit his sister.
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