A few months after we wrote about his plight, former Skeem Saam actor and gospel artist Thabo Masoga is back in the news. This time he is desperately asking for financial help towards an eye operation without which he will lose his sight.
The 53-year Masoga on Saturday told Sunday World that he is on the verge of losing his eyesight, unless a good Samaritan can come to his rescue.
Born in Zebediela in the Capricorn District, Limpopo, the actor, who also works as a security guard said he was told by an eye specialist on Wednesday when he went to consult that his right eye is severely damaged. It is so bad that he needs urgent surgery to avoid going completely blind.
The operation will cost him R10 000, excluding medication and spectacles.
“I really can’t afford that kind of money, and even worse, my work’s medical aid doesn’t cover such operations due to its limits. It can only cover minor ailments – less than R200.”
It got worse over time
“I have been experiencing serious eye problems for quite some time now. Lately it’s worse because I can’t even drive a car or hardly read or type messages on my phone,” said Masoga.
He says he got scared when he was told that he might go blind if he doesn’t go for the operation within the next six weeks.
Masoga is expected to meet the specialist again on Wednesday where he has to pay at least R2 500 upfront.
“I am pleading with anyone who can help me through this difficult time. Losing my sight means I will also lose my job as a security officer. I have kids to take care of. It will be a sad day to lose both my eyesight and job.”
He has just released a gospel single.
No smooth sailing
Some three months ago we reported that he’d fallen on hard times and is now working as a security guard at a bank in Limpopo.
The story told of the thespian’s fall from grace. He portrays the character of a ruthless landlord by the name of Ananias.
In real life, he is being dealt a blow by fate. He is renting a room, which doubles up as bedroom and kitchen. It is also his bathroom.
Masoga said his eye problems started in 2006 when he was working at a casino complex as a surveillance camera operator. At the time, he considered it a trifling problem that would pass.
It was no small thing
“In 2007 I started having problems whenever I was watching TV as my eyes would be filled with tears and began to blur. That’s when I decided to consult. I was told there was nothing serious. The doctor however, recommended spectacles which I then received. I changed them every two years until 2018 when I stopped wearing them,” he explained.
“In 2023 my eyes became worse whenever I was facing oncoming traffic in the night. I would completely lose my sight for few minutes at a time. I then stopped driving, until this day,”
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