5 minutes with Skeem Saam actor Clement Maosa

A lawyer by qualification, Clement Maosa made his TV breakthrough on the SABC 1 drama series Skeem Saam. We’re happy to report that he ticks all the right boxes.

If my childhood had a smell, it’d be that of the rain. It’s something a lot of people, especially farmers, look forward to. Yet, rain can cause floods, which destroy people’s lives. I see rain as a balance between good and bad, much like my childhood. While I have a lot of good memories with my family, there were also some unpleasant moments brought on by poverty.

I regret not learning how to save money when I was younger. I spent cash on meaningless things because I didn’t understand the value of saving. Had I started putting money away from as early as high school, I’d probably be a millionaire by now!

I’ve come to realise that there’s no life formula — we are all doing the best we can. When I was younger, I assumed that finishing school automatically meant that you’d secure a job, get married, and buy a big house. It wasn’t until I got older that I realised that life actually gets unbearable and difficult at times. Everything that seemed simple then suddenly became tough. Yes, it’s possible to get everything that you want, but it’s not as easy as you’d assumed it would be.

The best thing about growing up is the freedom to fully express yourself. I don’t think our parents valued our opinions much as kids. In my teens, I was very active, inquisitive and opinionated, but I didn’t have a platform to express my views. Now, I get to contribute in discussions when family issues arise. However, we must not forget that with freedom of expression comes responsibility. Be prepared to be held accountable for everything you say and do.

Going to church and feeling God’s presence for the first time changed my life forever. It was an unbelievable out-of-body experience. Since then, I’ve been investing in my relationship with God by reading the Bible and praying regularly. I’m a true believer, and haven’t stopped going to church since having that epiphany.

I strongly suspect, although I have no proof, that there is no ‘hell’. But, I definitely believe that there is a Heaven. I’m not convinced that God would subject us to such a traumatic environment just to punish us. For me, the concept of Lucifer and hell was just made up by some philosopher or pastor to get people to comply with God’s teachings. We shouldn’t go to church out of fear of condemnation.

The first thing I do when I wake up is play gospel music on full blast. I suppose that’s why I’d make a terrible flatmate. I’m a neat freak and prefer things to be done a specific way – that annoys some people. Should I find things arranged differently, then there’ll definitely be a problem [chuckles].

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The one thing I know for sure is that I am immensely talented. I’m a polished actor, dancer and singer – basically, I’m a triple threat! (Chuckles)

I usually read my work scripts before going to bed. Because I’m an actor, that’s what I read most times — but I love novels and short stories. Keeping fit gives me life. I love looking good, eating healthy food and maintaining my overall well-being.

My friends treat me like a leader. In our WhatsApp group, for example, I’m always appointed to the chairperson role if we’re planning a group trip. If there are any arguments or disputes in our circle, I’m usually the calm one who focuses on finding a solution. It’s a skill that I picked while studying towards my LLB. In law, you are taught punctuality, functionality and leadership. I also apply these values at home with my siblings.

I vowed never to ask my friends for money — that combo can make things sour very quickly. If I’m desperate to the point of having to lend cash from friends, I make it a point to pay them back as soon as possible. I’m not saying that I have a lot of money, however, I make good money decisions so I never find myself in dire financial situations. I also never date my friends’ exes. Now, that’s a rule I will never break!

I try to be a better person daily. I read and research on this career path that I have chosen. I also make sure to run 10 km at least three times a week. I’m also careful about how I speak to people. When angry, I used to shoot from the hip. However, I have learnt to first calm down before addressing any issue.

A high school teacher once told me that ‘We will all die one day. We need to start living like there is no tomorrow.’ It’s the worst advice I’ve ever received. I don’t think we should be living our lives worrying that death awaits us at any given moment. Chances are, we might not even work hard if we allow that mentality to drive us. On the other hand, I do acknowledge that it was a cautionary tale to always expect the unexpected. In as much as we might die at any moment, it’s good to also plan ahead. We should strive to do everything we can whilst we’re still alive.

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