#4

 

Arno Greeff

 

If you can win the battle against your mind, you can win the battle against life. Emphasis on the mind, as even though it is a part of you, it can either be your best ally or your worst enemy. Arno Greeff tells us his tale to allow one's mind to work together with your goals and ambitions to achieve that pinnacle moment in life where you can honestly say "I love what I am doing with my life"

 

Growing up in the city of gold, Arno passed through school at Helpmekaar College as a normal student till the age of 16, when one single call turned his life around in a 180-degree movement. As a  school rugby player for his school’s team, Arno was faced with many social aspects of what is popular, who to be friends with, what type of music to listen to etc., to not be a social pariah. All this meant to distance himself from his Afrikaans culture, be it from literature to movies and music. Every aspect of Afrikaans in those categories was rendered as "uncool" and shameful. That was till that one call changed everything. 

 

One week before the final match of the rugby “Beeldtrofee” competition, Arno’s drama teacher - Samuel Ferreira - contacted him. He was the last person who Samuel could think of who was not busy with repetitions at that time, to portray a 50-year-old man/father in a specific scene. Facing with the tough decision to drop the rugby team a week before the finals for an acting opportunity, he chose to side with his instinct to give acting a try. Even though describing his acting at that time as “horrendous” he still went with his gut to try it out. This decision may have contributed to the rugby team losing the finals, but it opened a new door to endless opportunities waiting for him to grasp.

 

By belief and with faith, he continued to pursue and follow on this path with his drama teacher coaching him every step of the way to becoming the actor who he is now. Not only did his interest in the acting and entertainment industry grow to great heights, but his liking and pride of being an Afrikaans person and knowing everything about it changed exponentially.

 

After graduating from Helpmekaar College, Arno started his career in 2014, playing the role of Krige Vos in the popular Afrikaans soap opera Binnelanders.  Kick-starting his career with a major role such as this, Arno also played the roles in many major Afrikaans films and series’. He is known as Thomas “Tommie” Bekker in Getroud Met Rugby, lead antagonist Dustin Jackson in the young surf film Die Pro, and will be seen in Vaselintjie, based on the popular book with the same name that was published in 2004.

 

Being an actor is not just a rewarding career, but also a very tough and time-bending one. Without something to drive you, keep you pushing to improve yourself and keep enjoying what you like, you would not make it for very long in any job or field which you will find yourself in. For Arno, the desire to contribute better things to the Afrikaans’ entertainment industry no matter the size, is something that will definitely make sure to push his talent as an actor to greater heights. He also wants to make sure that exciting and decent films, music and programs will be produced for his generation and those closest to us as an Afrikaans community.

 

Referring to Arno’s favorite quote “If you can win the battle against your own mind, you will win the battle against life”, it is sure to say that it speaks volumes. The message in this story is as clear as daylight and is mentioned in many paragraphs. When you start caring what other people think about your interests and rather just follow what they are busy with to avoid humiliation, then you will maybe never be satisfied with what you might do in the future and who you might become. Be true to who you are, what you want to do and to become in life. And just like Arno, stay in tune with your community and find ways to improve it. Without knowing, you will already have made a positive contribution to your own life and impact the way you perceive daily situations and people. 

 

It is not stressed enough that people, especially those between the ages of 12 – 17, who are most vulnerable to social pressure, are influenced in the way they approach life and their interests. The moment you start forming an interest in what you want to do, never give up on it and make it grow into something you can one day be proud to call your own. Only then can you truly say "I love what I am doing with my life". 

 

Stay connected with Arno on Getroud met Rugby, weekdays at 18:30 pm on Kyknet on channel 144 on DSTV. As mentioned he will also be seen in upcoming films such as Vaselintjie, in 2017. He also mentioned that he would like to work more on his music so hopefully, all Arno's fans will have a treat not just looking at him but also hearing him on your iPod and wireless headphones.

 

 

Till next time SA. Be inspired and keep inspiring.

 

Cheers for this week,

WA