By Dylan Bettencourt
- The former TV actor went from driving luxury cars and owning homes to collecting cans for nyaope boys.
- He says he’s not ashamed of working in his home village, even if it’s right in front of his old fans.
Once a familiar face on South African TV screens, Thabo Masoga now works as a security guard at a bank in Limpopo.
Masoga, best known as the fiery landlord Ananius on Skeem Saam, opened up about hitting rock bottom. At 53, he lives in a rented room that doubles as a kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom.
The former actor from Zebediela said his life changed in 2023 after a strange request from a Skeem Saam producer. They asked him to write a script, even though he wasn’t a writer for the show.
“I wasn’t even their writer. I felt like they were using me,” he said, Sunday World reported.
Shortly after that, his acting role was cut, and the phone calls stopped. He lost his home in Hammanskraal, his flat in Booysens, and all six of his cars — including a BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz C180, and a VW Velocity.
He also lost his family and friends.
“As they say, when days are dark, friends are few. Even my own blood deserted me,” he said.
Masoga had once made it big in the industry. He had roles on The River, Muvhango, and Gold Diggers. He also wrote shows for Mzansi Magic and Limpopo TV.
But now, he says Limpopo TV is airing two of his dramas — and not paying him a cent.
Still, he’s proud of the work he does now.
“I love my job because I work in my home village, right in front of my fans.”
Masoga is now married to Maishela Rasakanya, and the couple have a one-year-old daughter. He is a father of eight.
Things got so bad, he said, that he once walked the streets of Alexandra at night collecting cans — just so nyaope boys could sell them and he could eat.
“I was ashamed… I didn’t want people to see me like that. But I’ve seen great people fall and rise. I’ll get back on my feet.”
Pictured above: Thabo Masoga now works as a bank security guard in Limpopo.
Image source: @MasogaThabo
