Arthur Masoma, a South African actor and former educator, wants young people to be optimistic and confident.
The 32-year-old, popularly known as Arthur, launched the Arthur Masoma Charity Drive. The actor, best known for his role as Phuthi in the SABC1 soapie Skeem Saam, believes it is critical to assist underprivileged girls in high schools across the country.
The actor, who was born and raised in Tibane, Ga-Matlala, Limpopo, told the Daily Sun that this is his passion.
“I come from a very disadvantaged background and know that many underprivileged girls still skip going to school due to not having sanitary towels. It hurts me deeply,” he said.
Athanatious said this is the reason he took it upon himself to call for Good Samaritans to help donate sanitary towels.
“I want to go around many underprivileged schools, especially in deep rural areas to donate sanitary pads, so that underprivileged girls won’t have to skip school due to not having pads, hence I am driving the #Sharing-Dignity,” he said.
The actor said his role on Skeem Saam is going to grow a lot and will bring lots of surprises to the viewers at home.
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“Phuthi on Skeem Saam is a hardworking young adult who is always willing to extend himself beyond expectation. He is a cleaner at Turfloop Hospital and over the course of Meiki Maputla’s community service at the hospital, Celia’s receptionist post became available and Meiki encouraged Phuthi to apply,” he said.
Athanatious said he often fills in at the reception when Melita is not at work.
“I am an academic and a director too, having directed the first feature film at the University of Limpopo and also a documentary in Cape Town with the same university. What I can say is that there is still more to contribute in the arts fraternity, both in acting and behind-the-scenes directing,” he said.
When he is not on screen or giving back, Athanatious is also the editor-in-chief of a Limpopo newspaper as well as a film and TV director.
“I had the opportunity to study media studies at the University of Limpopo, where I graduated with a BA in media studies and a BA Honours in 2013 and 2014, respectively. I also studied intensive English at the University of Notre Dame in America,” he said.