Tafelsig actor feels right at home with grandma

Television star Brandon Marnevil’s acting career may take him to recording studios and film sets around the country, but his feet and faith are firmly grounded, thanks to the spiritual guidance from his elderly grandmother.

Mr Marnevil was raised by his mother Colina and matriculated from Tafelsig High in 2017. He is best known for his roles in several South African movies, television shows and adverts, including Arendsvlei, Suidooster, Kings of Joburg season 3, Death Angel, and Foul Play.

Mr Marnevil said while he does not come from a rich family, he received a wealth of wisdom and knowledge from his mother and grandmother. “I didn’t come from a family with money. What was rich for me was the knowledge and information they gave me because that brought me to where I am today,” he said.

The 26-year-old actor moved in with his Tafelsig grandmother, Spasie Koense, 82, a few years ago, and said the two have a special bond.

“My grandma has a soft spot for me. There was a time growing up when I was roaming the streets with the wrong friends, but she was never hard on me.

“Instead, she was praying and encouraging me to come to church with her. It was kind of irritating at the time, but her words, jy moet jou bekeer, stayed with me. Little did I know, that I'd actually be going to church not long after that.

“My mother was always there to support and nurture me but my grandma was there, spiritually. She's known throughout Mitchell's Plain for her work of praying for people and walking to church, even in the harshest weather conditions,” he said.

Apart from his acting career, Mr Marnevil is also a budding entrepreneur who runs his own film production company. Juggling the two can get tough at times, but then he remembers the wisdom of his grandmother.

“I think I learnt a really good coping mechanism from my grandma, which is to pray when things get too much,” he said.

Mr Marnevil encourages other Mitchell’s Plain youths to respect and treasure their grandparents.

“My advice to other young people would be to nurture and always respect our elderly. Another important thing to do is to listen to them, even when it feels like they're talking too much. Just taking time to listen makes them feel better.

“Cherish these old flowers. All these new flowers have nothing to teach you. But these old flowers have the old ways, old medicines, old wisdom of being the best, and that is where I draw strength from. My advice is to cherish them because we do not have them with us forever,” he said.