Your earliest childhood memories, of people in need?
I vividly remember walking with my mother through town and looking at the crippled beggars, feeling devastated. I used to ask my mom for something to give them, hoping I could make a difference. We barely had enough for ourselves.

Has fame changed your compassionate side?
It's pointless being famous and using it all for yourself. Remember Spiderman's pay off line "With great power comes great responsibility"? I think you're given fame, status and power to be used for a bigger purpose. I believe I've got this one lifetime and I've got to find out what my bigger purpose is. Whatever it may be, I'm sure GIVING is a major part of it.

What is your vision and what inspires you?
I want to make a difference in the lives of orphans and the elderly. I don't have a grand plan, but I'm trying in my own way. I'm not a religious fanatic, but in the Bible there's a line that made an impact on me. The greatest religion is to take care of orphans and widows (meaning the elderly). This is my passion!

How are you putting your vision into action?
When you're growing up there's always someone you look up to in the community. And as youth we were thrilled when guys who had made it took time to come back and tell us how they succeeded.

So when I started doing The Game, my old school invited me to address them. Soon I was directing primary school plays, judging contests, and giving pep talks. Then I started up CANWork (Community Arts Network) with some friends who were working at banks and teaching, and we toured the Coloured communities. These friends belonged to Hope Community Trust where I was first exposed to volunteering in soup kitchens, safe houses and the like. This lead to my work with the Walter Sisulu Children's Home, SOS Children's Village, Age in Action, and of course, still at church.

How can people who share your vision, get involved too?
Each organisation is special and they need volunteers who enjoy doing a range of things, from mentoring to repair work.

At Church I do mentoring and support the Hands of Compassion which caters for children who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDs. We have been promised drugs to treat the related illnesses, but sadly the company has been dragging feet and in the meantime, the children are growing weaker. So we'd be grateful to anyone who can supply us with pharmaceutical support.

The Walter Sisulu Children's Home is a haven for kids under-18 awaiting trial. Mostly the crimes were committed in an attempt to survive. I heard about the SOS Children's Village through a woman who lives on my street and volunteers there. She kept telling me how these kids need role models - so I went.

You know 19 out of 20 kids will say they want to be an actor, and that's where it starts. In both places I'm not preaching religion to the kids - I'm simply being 'real' off-screen. Most people don't get involved because they feel they don't have anything to give, but often the greatest thing you can do, is just be present. The kids just need people to talk to, and open their minds to options.

How do you know you're doing the right thing?
I remember casting a child with a terrible stutter in a school play, and the teacher was afraid she would mess up, but I insisted. Come opening night, she was brilliant. Her mother contacted me later to say she has never stuttered since! All she needed was confidence. So yeah - I support the underdog cos believe that every person can shine if given a chance. Those of us who can - should create these breaks.

It's slightly different working with Age In Action, which is an organisation that benefits the elderly by providing home-based care, infrastructure like wheelchairs and commodes, and legal protection for elderly who face abuse. It's shocking how elderly people are suffering at the hands of their children, and loan sharks.

So my work is largely around helping fund-raise, because Age In Action has a huge task, especially with elderly now being burdened burying their children and caring for their AIDs orphan grandchildren.

These are just a few options, and I'd encourage people who feel inspired to visit Visionaries In Action across Africa's website www.viaafrica.org to find a volunteer opportunity that suits them. Organisations can also advertise their volunteer opportunities covering in-kind, financial and resources needed on an on-going basis.

How do you reconcile being a Soap star and a Role Model?
Isidingo added weight to my personal efforts, especially with the hostage storyline where viewers saw a very real portrayal of young gangsters in Westbury. It's hard for a boy to grow into a man, when his role models are gangsters who don't earn their money or respect! Where I come from, most people belong to single parent families. The man is shirking his responsibility - and the family ends up disjointed. Then the gang becomes the only family a kid knows. Sadly this 'family' has rituals that you must do to prove your loyalty…

Work can stop. Serving isn't work - it's me being me.

At Church I'm part of a mentoring programme where youngsters can feel comfortable to talk because it's "men only". We address issues that affect young boys as well as older men, from drugs and Aids, to pregnancy and sex. This dialogue is around the concept "Prophet, Priest and King" and how being a real man is challenging. So we work with youth from 12 yrs through mid 20's.

IF you were not on-screen would you quit serving
When there was no work, sharing my talent with the community kept my spirit alive. Work can stop. Serving isn't work -it's me being me.

For updates on Zane Meas and other Visionaries In Action across Africa Ambassadors, visit www.viaafrica.org or call 084 4411144 for more info on finding and sharing volunteer opportunities. Be a Visionary in Action across Africa!