Mum&Baby

Clint Brink’s journey to being present for his little girl

celebrity

While fatherhood can be demanding and challenging, actor and musician Clint Brink says it has taught him the beauty of focused attention and the importance of always being present for his daughter.

We were introduced to Clint as Shawn Jacobs in Backstage when he was just 19 years old. He has since starred in numerous shows such as Scandal, Binnelanders and Blood and Water, to name a few.

The actor and his wife Steffi van Wyk tied the knot in August 2016 following a brief but intense romance. In April 2023, they celebrated the arrival of Arielle Harmony Brink. Clint chatted with Goodwill Thomo.

How has becoming a father changed you?

It’s changed me on virtually every level. It’s made me question myself and my values, forcing me to re-establish who I am. I remember my report card from school; even when I did well, it always said, “Clint did very well this year, but there’s always room for improvement.”

I think about how I can improve each day so that my kids always experience the best version of myself. This requires personal introspection and a commitment to the choices I make, as well as how I invest my time. The quality of those investments will determine what I receive in return.

For me, one key lesson has been learning to be more patient. My wife and I are both first-time parents, which adds complexity. Being a husband comes with its own responsibilities, and being a dad adds another layer. There are real dynamics at play—people get tired, emotions run high, and vulnerability can surface, especially when sleep-deprived.

Understanding these factors calls for greater compassion. You have to apply yourself with love and find resolutions quickly to maintain a positive, peaceful home environment. This creates a space where everyone feels safe and valued. I believe that being a parent should take priority over being a job. In today’s world, we often feel pressured to make money and provide, which can distract us from the importance of our role as parents.

How has fatherhood challenged you?

Fatherhood brings you face to face with how you treat your child, which often reflects how you were treated as a kid. At some point, you’ll be tested for this. If you were raised by emotionally unavailable parents, there’s a good chance you might struggle with being emotionally available yourself. The blessing is that if being a good parent matters to you—even if you don’t realise how important it is—you’ll be challenged at every stage.

Some people might not value parenthood and see it as just another cycle of life. But if you truly invest yourself in this journey, allowing yourself to embrace the challenges of each phase—like the infant stage or the toddler stage—you’ll see how your child responds to you and the world around them. If you’re too busy sending emails and distracted by daily tasks, you might miss crucial moments in their development.

Over the course of just a few years, you can miss a lot if you’re not present. It’s vital to pour your energy into creating great experiences for them.

Are there any surprising aspects of becoming a father that you didn’t anticipate?

I can’t say there was anything I wish I had been better prepared for. However, I did experience a significant loss before becoming a father—my own father passed away just two months after my daughter was born. He was only 65, so losing him while stepping into this new role was challenging.

There are moments I wish I could share with him, especially when I look at my child and feel overwhelming love. I can’t help but think of the pride he must have felt when he looked at me. My father’s influence has been significant in shaping who I am as a dad.

What values do you wish to instill in your child?

The values and lessons I hope to pass on to my child reflect what I learned from my parents and my in-laws. I want her to live truthfully and authentically, to not be afraid, and to have the courage to be a light in the world and in the lives of others. That’s partly why I chose the name Arielle for her; it means “lioness of God.” I see her as someone with a fiery spirit, strong will, and determination to embrace life.

Another value I wish for her is harmony, which I envision as a blessing she will carry throughout her life. I hope she brings harmony to those around her and to the world through her presence.

What aspect of fatherhood that you value the most?

Being a father has taught me the true value of time and the importance of being present. As an actor, I often find myself living in imaginary circumstances, preparing to play different characters. This can keep you in your head a lot. But having a child pulls you out of that and forces you to be right here, right now. You realise you can’t take a day for granted—you want to savour every moment.

Whether it’s during sleepless nights or when they’re feeling unwell, you want to be fully engaged. You don’t want to miss a single moment, especially when they’re at their best. This experience has highlighted for me the real significance of time and love. It’s amazing to recognise that we’re not hardwired for hate; the first and most instinct we have as children is to love.

What are some of your favourite activities to enjoy with your child?

She loves music. Whenever she listens to a song, she sings along, which is cute. She even recognises some of my music; when it’s playing, she’ll point to her mom and say, “Listen, that’s Papa’s song!”

She also loves water. We had a water birth at home, so it makes sense that she enjoys it. When the weather is nice, taking her out for a swim is a joy. Plus, she loves being outdoors. Her mom and I take her hiking regularly, and she really enjoys being in nature.

How do you help your child feel confident and empowered?

Right now, our focus is on loving her and giving her all the attention we can. We want to teach her and discover who she is, rather than simply assigning her a personality. I think many parents from older generations did that, but now we have a bit more awareness. We don’t have to dictate what she will do or who she will be; instead, we can walk on this journey with her and observe how she develops. We’re learning what she enjoys, and if we see her passion for something, we can encourage her in that direction.

We believe the best thing we can do for our daughter is to help her understand her worth in the world. She should know that she doesn’t have to conform to be accepted. It’s crucial for her to recognise her value and not rely on external validation.

To achieve this, we need to validate her experiences through love and support her as she grows. This all comes down to time spent together and being truly present. It’s essential to show up for her. We also want to foster an open relationship where she feels comfortable coming to us for advice. We’ve made many mistakes along the way, but thankfully we’ve learned from them, and we’re here to help her navigate her own path.

What is the key lesson you’ve learned from your child?

I believe that nothing is truly bad in my experience. Even when I get exciting jobs that allow me to express myself artistically, I recognise that my decisions must serve my family first. Living selflessly and valuing my family above everything else gives me a strong foundation.

When I leave my home, I carry with me the love and peace I’ve built there. I can come home and have meaningful discussions, and if I need to recharge my spirits, energy, and confidence, I know I can find that support at home.

It’s important to take a moment to reflect on this, especially in a world that pushes us to work endlessly, often celebrating exhaustion and the toll it takes on our nervous systems. As parents, we often feel the pressure to provide in multiple ways, and I think a different approach could yield different results.

For me, this journey has shown me the true value of human connection. While aspects of fatherhood and motherhood can be challenging, we all go through different phases of parenting, and that’s part of the experience.

What challenges have you faced on your journey as parents?

The entertainment industry is a tricky space to navigate, with many different elements at play. One guiding principle my wife and I share is that if one of us has a dream and feels the passion and drive to pursue it, the other will offer support.

Right now, the entertainment landscape in South Africa is quite challenging. Many large production companies are struggling to pay actors, shows are being cancelled, and even industry legends with decades of experience often don’t have consistent incomes. It’s tough out there.

As we raise our child, we want to instill a sense of fearlessness and the ability to operate under pressure. For that to happen, our children need to see us facing our own challenges and pursuing our dreams. They should witness us battling obstacles, experiencing failures, and rising again. This resilience is one of the greatest gifts we can give them.

For us, the challenge is to remain authentic while making decisions about our growth and transitions. We strive to set an example that our children can draw strength from as they navigate their own paths.

What is something people don’t know about you?

One thing people don’t realise is that I’m more boring than they might assume. I’m a homebody. I enjoy going to the gym, and health and fitness are important to my wife and me. They’re the pillars of our lives. When we talk about health and fitness, we’re not just focusing on looking great; it’s about living well so that our overall experience is healthy.

Sometimes, people can look fit or have a lot of money in their bank accounts from a high-paying job, but if that job is toxic, they’re paying a heavy price in terms of their mental and emotional health. For us, mental health and fitness are vital. We like to spend time outdoors whenever we can, whether it’s going for walks or exploring nature with our daughter.

As for the future, it’s always in God’s hands. My wish is to be in a position of influence where I can contribute positively to our industry and communities. After 24 years in showbiz, I’m grateful to still be here and to make a real, positive impact. That’s what makes me feel like I’m living a successful life.

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