Veteran South African actor Roderick Jaftha, once a household name for his role as Glen Majozi on Generations, has taken to social media with a heartfelt plea for financial assistance. Struggling to provide for his family, Jaftha revealed the dire circumstances he faces, unable to afford basic necessities, including food and shelter, for his four children, two of whom are still in school.
In a candid interview with ZiMoja, the seasoned actor opened up about the hardships he has been grappling with, both personally and professionally. “I don’t even have food for my kids today,” Jaftha shared, his voice heavy with desperation. “I am struggling to pay rent. I have small kids, and two of them are still at school.”
The emotional appeal highlighted the sharp contrast between his earlier fame and his current situation, shedding light on the instability many actors face when they are no longer in the spotlight.
Despite his years of experience in the entertainment industry, Jaftha explained that he is facing significant challenges in securing acting roles, largely due to his limited proficiency in vernacular languages. With most South African productions prioritizing actors who can speak languages like isiZulu or Xhosa, Jaftha, who is fluent only in English and Afrikaans, has found it difficult to land substantial roles.
“Since I only speak Afrikaans and English, it is hard for me to get those roles. I have been getting gigs, but nothing significant,” he explained. This language barrier, coupled with an increasingly competitive industry, has left Jaftha sidelined in an era where multilingualism has become a crucial asset for actors.
In his search for support, Jaftha mentioned reaching out to the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, for assistance. However, his pleas have gone unanswered. As his financial difficulties continue to mount, the actor’s social media request is a sobering reminder of the precarious reality many artists face in South Africa, where fame doesn’t always guarantee financial security.
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