South African malls’ famous “Grinch” is gearing up to spread his magic this Christmas! In this story, we look past the green mask to reveal the man behind the joy, sharing his name and the inspiring reason why bringing smiles to people’s faces lights up his world.
Johannesburg, South Africa (13 November 2025) – Every December, somewhere between the mall carols and the frantic gift wrapping, a man in a bright red suit is making South Africans laugh until they cry – sometimes both at once.
His name is Marco du Plessis, and for him, The Grinch isn’t just a character. It’s something far more personal and far more human.
“I cry sometimes when I do it,” he admits with a laugh.
“Not because I’m sad, but because it’s such a strange, beautiful thing to witness. People come alive. They drop their guard. They laugh like kids again.”
Marco is the founder of a Johannesburg-based company that brings live entertainment and interactive theatre around the country.
But come Christmas, he trades the producer’s clipboard for green paint and a Santa-snatching scowl. It takes nearly two hours of preparation, including makeup, prosthetics, and costume, before he’s ready to step into character.
And once he does, all bets are off. Kids scream, parents cheer, and adults line up for selfies (and the occasional bum pinch from someone who’s clearly had a bit too much festive spirit). But beneath the humour lies something deeply touching.
Marco remembers one performance that stopped him cold.
“Two years ago, a mom told me her little girl’s grandma had just passed away,” he recalls.
“They hadn’t told her yet. They just wanted her to see the Grinch first, to keep her Christmas intact. That’s when I realised this isn’t just entertainment. It matters.”
Marco’s Grinch isn’t mean. He’s real. He’s the side of us that’s tired, messy, and still trying to find the fun in a world that’s a bit heavy.
“It’s funny,” Marco says quietly.
“The entertainers who bring the joy are often the ones alone on Christmas, driving to and from gigs. We create it, but we don’t always get to experience it. Maybe that’s why I love doing it so much. It gives me a piece of that joy, too.”
And that’s exactly why people connect with him. Behind the green paint is a man who understands what the season feels like for so many – equal parts magic and melancholy.
His Grinch reminds us that joy doesn’t always come from perfection. Sometimes, it’s in the laughter that erupts unexpectedly. The kind that makes you forget the year’s weight for a moment.
“The Grinch reminds us it’s okay to feel a bit grumpy or tired,” Marco smiles.
“But when you laugh, when you really let yourself, it’s like your heart makes space for joy again. That’s what keeps me doing it.”
This December, Marco and his team at Drizzles Productions will once again hit the road, bringing the Grinch (and a lot of laughter) to shopping centres, resorts, and families across South Africa.
Because sometimes, the one who’s supposed to steal Christmas is the very person who gives it back!
Sources: Supplied
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