For the talented entertainer Anton David Jeftha it’s all about consistently showing up for yourself and putting in the work, no matter what challenge comes your way!
Always energetic and nimble, the local and international star has remained true to himself, living and loving life to the best of his ability, and staying prepared for when the next big opportunity or project presents itself.
Against All Odds
Growing up as the only brother to three sisters, Anton was always seen as the proverbial black sheep of his family, though they were very supportive of his dreams. ‘I was raised in quite a conservative Christian home, with conservative ethics and beliefs,’ he explains. ‘My parents have created a fantastic life for themselves and for their kids against all odds. They represent my first lessons and understanding of hard work, responsibility and providing for those you love.’ Equipped with a great set of tools and humility, Anton has always been a busy person. He first found his love for sports at the age of 6 when he took up karate, and then went on to play a variety of sports throughout high school. Thereafter, he played water polo for the University of the Western Cape. ‘These days it’s more of whatever comes up, be it gym, yoga, martial arts, a swim or just a long walk,’ he says. During his university years, Anton studied and completed a B.Com Finance degree. However, during his honours year he opted to leave his studies and pursue acting full-time.
Leaps And Bounds
‘It’s been quite a journey; one that continues to be plagued with ups and downs, but it’s something I chose to do and continue to choose daily,’ he explains. ‘Acting has afforded me the opportunity to meet the most interesting people from all around the world – and all walks of life. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel for work, and have even lived in Los Angeles for six years. Without this profession, I’m not sure my life would have been filled with so many amazing experiences thus far.’As a model, actor and voice artist, Anton has carved quite a unique path for himself. He made his television acting debut almost 10 years ago, playing the role of kidnapper Zubair in the M-Net true crime series Crimes Uncovered. He is also celebrated for his starring role as SJ Price in the M-Net telenovela Legacy. Internationally, he has starred in multiple US TV series, namely Strike Back, Homeland and Dominion. ‘[In the years to come] I’d like to have a base in three different countries (SA and USA included), spending four months in each respective country,’ he says. ‘I’d love to be involved in fulfilling productions as a cast member and/or producer. I hope to have grown in talent, emotionally and spiritually, still leading a very active, healthy and balanced lifestyle. I just want to be happy and centered, still doing adventurous things.’
Finding Harmony
In terms of leaving a great legacy behind, Anton hopes to empower his people and community, building a solid foundation that future generations can build on. His advice to aspiring actors and actresses is: ‘Do it your way! There’s usually a voice inside us that knows exactly what to do… Find this voice. This is your journey, so live your life, and enrich yourself with experiences that help you grow; keep investing in yourself!’ For Anton, it is extremely important to maintain a healthy work/life balance in order to keep things going. ‘Our lives [as actors] are not conventional as there is no structure – unless we create it,’ he exclaims. ‘So, naturally it’s easy to cave in… I try to stay as active within the fitness realm as possible, but this is often dependent on the role I’m playing at the time. I also maintain healthy relationships with those I’m close to, be it family or friends. This is what has been working for me so far.’When it comes to staying healthy, the talented entertainer believes in taking a ‘holistic approach’ to his overall health. ‘It’s about creating harmony between body, mind and soul, and doing activities which enhance all three,’ he says. Anton’s fitness goals for the rest of 2022 includes getting back to being obsessed about fitness. ‘The last role I did took me out of my stringent workout routine because the guy was kind of burly and not necessarily athletic,’ he jokingly explains. ‘I plan to pick up where I left off around mid-2021, to be much more consistent, and way more mindful of what I eat’, he continues. ‘When I make fitness and training a discipline and habitual, everything else usually falls into place.’
Words by Charndré Emma Kippie
Photography: Chanelle Naudt
