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Rhythm City's Kop was once a hobo...

Setlhabi Taunyane has gained a lot of popularity for his role on Rhythm City.

The actor, who plays Kop on the e.tv soapie, has been with the show for many years. Although he's now become a household name, Setlhabi hasn't always had it easy. He spoke about his challenges to Move magazine.

Setlhabi, who was in exile in Canada for over a decade, had a difficult time when he came back home. His family rejected him and he eventually ended up on the streets for six months. "My life was tough. I looked frail and sick, and some of my relatives even asked for my ID so that they could take life cover for me. They thought I was going to die. Some called me ikwerekwere (foreigner)."

But he managed to pick himself up and found roles in shows TV shows like Soul Buddyz, Isidingo, Hard Copy and many more. But his big break came when joined Rhythm City, even though some actors had told him he would never make it in the industry.

"I am thankful to all the people who wrote me off, because without them, I would not have had this drive to succeed in life. The encouraged me. When these people see me now, they are so embarrassed, including my brother, who chased me away from my parents' house."

*Picture: Facebook

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