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You may recognise him from the Postbank advertisement.
Given Stuurman stole the hearts of many South Africans as an eight-year-old when he asked for a girl’s hand in marriage in the 2003 Postbank Lobola ad.
WATCH THE AD HERE:
Given’s booming career started when he became a regular member of YoTV, a televised youth programme, during school holidays.
He tells YOU that’s where his comfort around the camera was noticed and led to him getting an acting agent at the age of five – and he’s never looked back.
Having starred in commercials, series and working with major brands, Given says that the most significant moment in his career came when he was directed by the legendary American actor and filmmaker, Clint Eastwood, in Invictus.
"That was a great experience and major learning curve, for not a lot of people from Africa can say that they’ve been directed by Clint Eastwood while being in the same scene with Matt Damon," Given tells us.
The entertainment industry isn't what it used to be since his first acting stint, but the 25-year-old has been able to evolve and adapt with the times.
"[It] has opened doors for many more revenue streams and also new talent.
"The internet and social media now possibly play a bigger role than the TV box itself when it comes to entertainment . . . It’s just very exciting to manoeuvre around that right now."
With his dreams of becoming “the greatest artist to come out of the third world globally", Given is now making sure to stay on top of his game by studying film production.
"As an African, my duty is to inspire the next generation and not just to succeed alone, and I can only achieve that by being the greatest," the young actor says.
Given also lately revealed – to the delight of his fans – that he recently became a father. The doting dad and his high school sweetheart, Nomvelo Dlamini, welcomed their bundle of joy after five years of their union.
"That was and is an amazing experience and it just shows you how powerful and great Mother Nature and God are.
"Children are a blessing and it’s a much greater blessing to be given the responsibility to mould, nurture and raise another human life. I’ll forever be honoured. My daughter is loved a lot."
Speaking about whether he was looking to have more kids, Given said, "I’m very family oriented so I’ll probably have more kids in the future. I’m in no rush because right now I just want to focus on spoiling my princess."
Given currently stars in e.tv’s soapie Scandal! as a troublesome son, but he has other plans for his future.
"I want to change the landscape, lives and mindsets of South African young people for the better," Given said.
"We have immense power and talent hidden in ourselves, stories and where we come from. So whether it be music, film, the internet, Instagram or print, it doesn’t matter.
"I plan to use any medium available to me as an artist to inspire and change a life."
