He's a Zulu who speaks with a slight Indian accent, attends Tamil temple services on Sundays and plays the tabla, while occasionally participating in traditional African ceremonies at weekends on the farm where his biological Zulu family resides.
His life story might sound a bit strange, but it is one many South Africans will relate to in some way and is definitely one that will change many perceptions and stereotypes.
Meet Senzo Mthethwa, who stars in the factual comedy The Boolulu Uncle, in which he uses his experiences as a Zulu boy who was raised by an Indian family in Reservoir Hills, Durban, to entertain his audience.
"My mother was a domestic worker for this family and I was born around the time that she started working for them. They raised me as their own, even put me through school," said Mthethwa.
Mthethwa, who also earns a living as a stand-up comedian, said that his friends had encouraged him to do a one-hour skit based on his life.
"In the show, I do not speak of anything that is out of the ordinary. People will relate and may have been through what I have been through. It is a beautiful story and everyone will enjoy it," he said.
The plot has Mthethwa, as himself, contemplating writing his life story and where to begin, what anecdotes to include and what to leave out. To this end, he hovers over his laptop, fingers poised above the keyboard.
Fragments of stories emerge, with Mthethwa playing all the characters who have influenced his life so far - colourful people he met while queueing for his ID book at Home Affairs; teachers and school friends; eccentric neighbours and his Zulu family.
Mthethwa said that while growing up there were some people who did not understand his background and those people would say he was a black person who was forgetting his culture.
"It didn't take a toll on me, but it certainly struck a nerve," he said.
The youngster admitted that many young people today fight a similar battle.
"Establishing one's identity will always be an ongoing battle because of peer pressure and stereotypes.
"Sometimes you will detach yourself from one thing and adopt others just to be able to fit in, so certainly this play could appeal to young people," he explained.
Mthethwa recited an adage: "You don't know where you are going to until you know where you are from."
"So it is important to know your history. I have gone to the farm a number of times and participated in a number of rituals...
"Today I still maintain a relationship with both my families," he said.
Mthethwa said the idea behind The Boolulu Uncle is to teach patience and tolerance and remove the myth behind some stereotypes.
"After watching the play you will definitely walk away knowing that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover," he admonished.
The Boolulu Uncle is devised and written by comedy heavyweights Kumseela Naidoo (who also directs), Koobeshen Naidoo and Mthethwa.
The comedy, which was an instant Musho! Festival hit back in January, began its life at Durban's Catalina Theatre, Wilson's Wharf, this week. The play will run until May 2.
Show times: 8pm today, 5pm and 8pm tomorrow, 2pm and 6pm on Sunday.
- Tickets cost R65 (concessions or matinees R40). For more info or to book tickets, call 031 305 6889.