Thabo Masoga, once a familiar face on South African television screens, has experienced a dramatic shift in fortune. Known for his role as the ruthless landlord Ananius on the popular SABC1 drama Skeem Saam, Masoga now works as a security guard at a bank in Limpopo, his home province.
The 53-year-old actor, who once enjoyed the spotlight, now lives modestly, renting a single room that serves as his bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. In a candid interview with Sunday World, Masoga revealed that he had hit rock bottom—losing his properties, vehicles, family, and friends. “As the saying goes, ‘when days are dark, friends are few’. I am a real witness to that,” he shared.
Masoga, originally from Zebediela near Lebowakgomo, has had a multifaceted career in the entertainment industry as an actor, scriptwriter, film director, and gospel artist. His troubles began in 2023 after being approached by a Skeem Saam producer to write a script. Although he was not a staff writer, he believed his talent was being exploited, and soon after, his character was removed from the show.
Following his exit, Masoga’s life began to unravel. He lost his house in Hammanskraal, a bachelor flat in Booysens, and an entire fleet of six cars—including a Mercedes-Benz C180, BMW X1, Colt V6 bakkie, Renault Megane, Opel Corsa bakkie, and VW Velocity 1.4i. Despite the losses, he remains optimistic. “I have seen great people fall and rise. I believe that one day I will find my way out of this,” he said.
Masoga’s television career includes appearances in Gold Diggers as Sgora in 2010, a police officer in The River (2012), and Muvhango (2013). He was a mainstay on Skeem Saam for ten years and has also written for shows such as Bohwa Baka on Mzansi Magic and Tefeletso, The Vengeance on Limpopo TV—although he claims he was never paid for some of his work aired on Limpopo TV.
Now a father of eight, Masoga is married to Maishela Rasakanya, with whom he shares a one-year-old daughter. Despite the drastic change in lifestyle, he takes pride in his current job. “I love my job, more so because I’m working in my home village in front of my fans. They used to celebrate me as their role model,” he said.
Recalling darker days, Masoga admitted he once roamed the streets of Alexandra at night collecting cans for nyaope addicts to sell on his behalf. “I was ashamed… I didn’t want people to see me like that,” he confessed.
Despite the challenges, Thabo Masoga’s story is one of resilience and hope—a reminder that life’s setbacks don’t define one’s worth or potential for a comeback.