South African actor Bonko Khoza has laid bare the harsh financial realities faced by actors in Mzansi, revealing that the profession is far less glamorous than it appears.
Speaking on the Engineer Your Life with Lungelo KM podcast, the 33-year-old The Wife star disclosed that many celebrated actors die broke due to the lack of royalties and job security in the industry.
“Most of our legends die broke. The money is not that great. You only earn for that specific job — and after that, there’s nothing,” Bonko lamented, citing the late Menzi Ngubane as a tragic example.
He also pointed out that the public wrongly assumes TV fame equals wealth. “Just because someone’s face is on screen, people think they’re rich. But that’s far from reality,” he said.
The actor stressed that even those who seem successful often rely on support from partners outside the entertainment industry or extra sources of income. “If you’re living on acting money alone, it’s tough. You never know when the next role will come,” he added.
Fellow actress Linda Mtoba echoed Bonko’s views recently, saying she earns more from brand deals than acting roles. “A full month of acting pays me the same as a one-day content shoot,” Linda revealed, shocking fans with her candid confession.
She also spoke about the demanding nature of acting, explaining that the job steals precious time from family and self-care. “You leave when it’s dark and come back when it’s dark,” she said.
The actors’ revelations have sparked fresh debate on social media about the sustainability of acting as a career in South Africa, highlighting the urgent need for industry reform, including royalties and better pay.