Latest news with #Isibaya
The South African
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
Linda Mtoba: Brand partnerships more lucrative than acting
Former Isibaya actress Linda Mtoba has recently spoken up about how she makes more money from brand partnerships than acting, despite the latter being her passion. The 33-year-old is not only famous for appearing on small screens but is also considered an influencer due to her large online following. She has bagged a number of brand partnerships throughout the years, working on campaigns with major companies. Many will recognise her for working with Vaseline and Huggies since she's a mother to a daughter, whom fans know affectionately as 'Bean'. Mtoba recently celebrated a career highlight in March when she attended the Oscars in the US. Working with Don Julio, she also got the chance to rub shoulders with Hollywood stars Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus. She also recently bagged another win, becoming Glamour SA magazine's latest cover star for May. 'For me personally, I feel like acting is such a labour of love,' she shared during a Q&A session on her Instagram stories. She went on to describe the sacrifices involved in being a thespian, how they affect spending time with her family, the long hours on set, and how the paycheck at the end of the day does not match the amount she would earn from influencing. 'The money that I get month end, is equivalent to a one-day content shoot,' Mtoba claimed. This was an answer to one of her followers, who curiously asked if she was only doing brand work full-time and if it worked for her financially. Mtoba highlighted that having a career as an actress is more of a passion for her, and it isn't about the money. This rang clear when she hinted that she makes much more from getting brand partnership deals. Mtoba isn't the only actress who has spoken about poor pay in the industry. Just last month, veteran actress Nandi Nyembe also took to social media to share that she was enduring financial struggles and asked for donations on Facebook. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Mail & Guardian
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
JESSICA NKOSI: Directing her own life
The plan behind the improvisation: Jessica Nkosi. Photo: Taff Studios Jessica Nkosi, the award-winning actress and TV presenter, known for her roles in Isibaya, Ayeye and The Queen, knows how to improvise. But make no mistake, behind every performance and every parenting decision, there's a plan. And that's the part of Jessica's story we don't often hear. Her successful career might look like luck from the outside, but her path has been anything but accidental. 'People think you just audition and get lucky — but there's a strategy. You work on your craft, your network, your visibility. You plan where you want to go.' Initially, Jessica studied law, before switching to drama to follow her true passion. 'I studied law as a way of just getting a degree. I thought, just give it to your parents and then go and pursue acting. But in between, I wondered, why am I basing my life on what my parents want and everybody in the world is saying?' 'I am very stubborn, and your characteristics can be a positive or negative, and some people take stubbornness as like, 'Oh, you're so stubborn. You should stop it.' And yes, but sometimes don't look at something only negatively. Stubbornness can be a positive, you know.' Reflecting on those early days as a drama student, she was wondering, 'What am I going to do when I graduate? I need to get to Johannesburg. Okay, so how do I get to Johannesburg? I'm writing down all of the agencies in Joburg. I'm calling them all because I'm graduating. I need to get a break.' Jessica would write down lists of the shows she dreamed of being cast in, lists of the casting agencies and potential auditions. She stayed with a relative in Johannesburg for two years, saving her money to buy her own furniture when she started renting her own place. Unlike many young people who get their first paycheck, Jessica decided not to touch the money from one of her first jobs as a presenter on My Perfect Wedding. 'I wanted to keep my money and just spend the interest. Because I was getting a salary from Isibaya, I was living off of that, and I could keep the extra money and invest. It's a privilege that I don't take lightly.' Her attitude towards saving hasn't changed from those early days. 'I like seeing money in my accounts. I hate when the money goes down. I'm like, no, I'm not going to spend this. I'm not buying this because I need this number to increase, you know?' It's an attitude that her fans may not expect in the social media era. But Jessica shares her advice for her followers, 'Please don't chase a lifestyle that is beyond what you are getting paid, that's beyond your means. You know you will get there. Work hard, focus on your craft. You will make that money but relax. Don't rush to get your car the first year. Now you can't buy groceries because you're paying for your car.' When it comes to her two young children, she also wants to teach them that patience. 'I want my kids to see what it looks like to be intentional. I want them to understand saving, delayed gratification, and working toward something.' Her father passed away when Jessica was in Grade 11, and she notes, 'I was preparing to apply to be a prefect in Matric, and I was thinking do I allow my father's passing to derail me, and not make him proud? Or do I thrive and become a prefect? 'And I know that he was smiling going, 'That's my girl.'' After he died, Jessica remembers finding all the permission slips that he had signed for her to leave boarding school to go to modelling classes and jobs, and thinking, 'He might not be here anymore, but he already had an idea that this girl is going to be a bit different. And I thought him just easily signing these slips, was him saying, 'Yes, go do what you want. Be different and go against the herd.'' By now, her optimism is not surprising. She clearly has goals and a plan on how to achieve them, with no room for negativity. 'There's power in the tongue. I always say that God created the world by speaking and then gave that same power to us. So if you're speaking negatively over your life, what do you think is going to happen? I always speak life and speak blessings and speak goodness.' And that's why her voice matters, not just as a well-known talent, but as one of the many mothers who aren't just living life, but playing the lead role in it.
TimesLIVE
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
I couldn't even afford an Uber: former Generations actor Thabiso Mokhethi
Former Generations actor Thabiso Mokhethi has opened up on his financial difficulties. Thabiso discussed the emotional and monetary issues he faced after being let go from the popular soapie. He shared that he couldn't afford necessities and had an existential crisis when he lost all his material wealth. He opened up about his financial struggles during an episode on popular YouTube podcast Engineer Your Life. He explained how he couldn't afford the basics, such as food and transportation. 'There were times when, as an unemployed man, I couldn't even afford an Uber. Sometimes, I didn't have food to eat.' The actor, who also portrayed Musa on Rhythm City, revealed how he struggled to adjust from being a provider to a dependant. 'Coming from a position where I could provide for my family, to suddenly relying on others was a bitter pill to swallow. I know this is a reality for many people, but this is my story,' he shared. Thabiso isn't the only star who has faced hard times after his career on the small screen ended. Recently we've seen a number of actors who have faced financial difficulties with some resorting to asking for donations. They include veteran actress Nandi Nyembe, former Isibaya actress Gcina Mkhize and former Skeen Saam actor Pebetsi Matlaila.
The Star
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Abdul Khoza bids farewell to acting with last audition video
Abdul Khoza, the celebrated South African actor known for his compelling performances, has announced his decision to step away from the spotlight. In a poignant farewell, he recently shared his last audition video, providing an intimate glimpse into the life behind the scenes for aspiring actors. Abdul Khoza, award-winnning actor, has shared his final audition video, signalling his retirement from a celebrated acting career filled with unforgettable performances. Khoza has announced his decision, providing an intimate glimpse into the life behind the scenes for aspiring actors in his last audition video. The beloved actor widely celebrated for his gripping portrayal of various memorable characters, notably the intense Qaphela on the hit telenovela Isibaya , expressed his gratitude for the support he has received throughout his career. The role has also seen him win a prestigious South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) Golden Horn for a character that showcased his remarkable versatility as both a fierce killing machine and a man seeking redemption. In his heartfelt message shared on Instagram, Khoza noted, 'So I decided to share one of my last auditions that I did this year before I decided to simply quit acting. This is a way for me to show those who still wish to pursue a career in acting that we all go through the audition processes. For an actor to get a role, they are required to audition, and this is my last self-tape. I hope that it gives you a better understanding of the process and how we do it. Thank you to @spholaricky for reading this with me.' His talent is also on display in his portrayal of Zembe, a ruthless businessman dealing in 'protection fees', in the gripping series My Brother's Keeper Season 2. The actor gained further acclaim through his performance in The Wife , which has captivated audiences across South Africa and outperformed all other programmes on the Showmax platform. The series broke records as the most viewed on Showmax and claimed multiple accolades, including the 2022 DStv Mzansi Magic Viewers' Choice Awards for Best Actor for Khoza and his co-star Bonko Khoza. At the 2022 SAFTAs, The Wife received nominations in ten categories, winning Best Telenovela, Best Actor, and Supporting Actor for its standout performances. Khoza's contributions to the industry have been lauded as he departs with deep appreciation. 'Last but not least: THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO EVER SUPPORTED MY JOURNEY AS AN ACTOR; I AM HONOURED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SHARE MY TALENTS WITH YOU. I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN MY OWN TALENT WITHOUT YOU.' [email protected] Saturday Star
News24
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Abdul Khoza bids farewell to acting after 14-year career
The harsh realities of the acting industry have taken yet another toll, as award-winning actor Abdul Khoza shocks fans with his decision to quit. Like many before him, Khoza's departure highlights the struggles and pressures that come with pursuing a career in the spotlight. South African actors have been increasingly vocal about the challenges they face, and Khoza's exit serves as a poignant reminder of the industry's darker side. In a heartfelt and unexpected announcement, award-winning actor Abdul Khoza, known for his roles in TV series like 'The Wife,' 'Isibaya,' 'Kings of Joburg,' and 'Shaka iLembe,' revealed that he's stepping away from the acting world, after years of captivating audiences on screen. The news comes after a series of cryptic and introspective posts on Instagram, where Khoza shared his thoughts on the industry and his personal journey. Leading up to his decision, Khoza's Instagram posts hinted at his growing disillusionment with the acting world. Fans noticed a change in the tone, with Khoza sharing more about his personal struggles and the pressures of the industry, however, despite that they didn't expect him to announce his expeditious exit. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brotha Abdul Rahman Khoza (@abdul_khoza) In his final post, Khoza shared a video from one of his last auditions, giving a glimpse into behind-the-scenes of his craft, but mostly giving aspiring actors a peek into the audition process. The caption reads, 'So, I decided to share one of my last auditions that I did this year before I decided to simply quit acting. This is a way for me to show those who still wish to pursue a career in acting that we all go through the audition processes. For an actor to get a role they are required to audition, and this is my last self-tape. I hope that it gives you a better understanding of the process and how we do it.' Moreover, expressed his gratitude to his fans for their constant support and acknowledged the impact acting had on his life. 'Last but not least: Thank you to everyone who ever supported my journey as an actor, i am honored to have been able to share my talents with you. I would have never known my own talent without you.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brotha Abdul Rahman Khoza (@abdul_khoza) And as expected, the comments section was a bitter-sweet moment as the acting community and fans are reeling from the news, with many extending their heartfelt gratitude to Khoza for his contributions and wish him well on his future endeavours.
