After Her Departure, Shalate Sekhabi Finally Speaks on House of Zwide Exit
Low Salaries and Industry Secrets Exposed
South Africa’s television world has been left buzzing after actress Shalate Sekhabi, who played the much-loved character Shoki on the hit e.tv drama House of Zwide, revealed shocking reasons behind her sudden departure from the show.
For months, fans have been speculating why the young actress decided to walk away from one of the country’s most watched telenovelas at the peak of her fame. Now, the truth is beginning to surface, and it paints a worrying picture about what really happens behind the scenes of local productions.
Shalate confirmed that she left House of Zwide because she was unhappy with her salary, despite the success of the show and the huge following her character attracted. She explained that she loved playing Shoki and appreciated the opportunity, but the pay she was receiving did not reflect the amount of work, effort, and popularity she brought to the production.
According to her, she often found herself struggling to make ends meet while fans assumed she was living a glamorous life because of her role on TV.
In her statement, Shalate went further than many expected. She did not only speak about her own pay but also revealed what other actors on the show were earning, exposing the huge salary gaps among the cast.
According to her revelations, senior actors like Vusi Kunene, who plays Funani, were pocketing close to R150,000 to R200,000 per month, while some lead female stars earned between R70,000 and R90,000 per month. In comparison, Shalate claimed that as one of the younger stars and fan favourites, she was earning just around R35,000 per month, a figure she says was “insulting” given her workload and the amount of screen time her character had.
She also mentioned that some of the supporting cast members were earning far less. Reports she shared pointed to actors on the lower end of the pay scale receiving between R18,000 and R25,000 per month, even though many of them had to be on set long hours and sometimes work under stressful conditions.
Shalate explained that while viewers believe being on TV equals wealth and luxury, the truth is that many actors quietly struggle because of the way salaries are structured in the industry.
Her decision to speak out has sparked a massive conversation on social media. Many fans praised her for her bravery in exposing the truth, saying that her honesty will force producers and broadcasters to rethink how they treat actors. Others expressed sadness that such a talented
actress had to leave a show she clearly loved simply because she felt undervalued financially. Some even called her the “voice of young actors” who are often too scared to speak about money for fear of being blacklisted.
What makes Shalate’s revelations even more powerful is that she did not stop at salary discussions. She also revealed how difficult it can be for younger actors to negotiate better deals.
According to her, producers sometimes use the promise of “exposure” as an excuse to underpay, telling new stars that fame will eventually open bigger doors. But as she pointed out, fame without fair pay does not put food on the table or pay the bills.
Her bold statements have put the spotlight firmly on the production of House of Zwide. The show, which replaced Rhythm City in 2021, has been a major hit and regularly trends online after episodes air.
Fans have followed Shoki’s journey with excitement, especially her relationship with Nkosi, played by Wanda Zuma. It was this storyline that helped the show capture a younger audience, making Shalate one of the most recognisable faces in South African television today.
Yet, despite her role being one of the most central to the plot, she says her salary never matched her contribution. In fact, she claimed that when she tried to negotiate for a raise, her requests were brushed off. She eventually reached a breaking point and decided that leaving the show was the only way to protect her mental health and future career.
This revelation has also opened wider debates about how the South African entertainment industry pays its actors compared to international standards. Many fans have pointed out that shows like House of Zwide, which attract high ratings and advertising revenue, should be able to pay their stars fairly. Others argued that this problem is not new, as past actors from other big productions have also spoken about low salaries, despite the shows being massively popular.
Shalate’s departure now leaves a huge gap in House of Zwide. Her character Shoki was deeply loved, and fans are already questioning how the writers will continue without her. Some have threatened to stop watching, saying that the show will not be the same without her.
The producers have not yet officially commented on her allegations about salaries, but industry insiders suggest that pressure may now build for transparency and possible reviews of contracts.
While her exit is heartbreaking for loyal viewers, Shalate has hinted at exciting new opportunities ahead. She has spoken about focusing more on her music career, as well as pursuing film and international acting roles. Many believe that leaving the show will allow her to spread her wings and achieve even greater things.
For now, her bravery in pulling back the curtain on the reality of actor salaries in South Africa will likely remain one of the most talked-about moments in the entertainment industry this year. By exposing what happens behind the glamorous lights of television, Shalate Sekhabi has forced both fans and producers to face a hard truth: fame does not always equal fortune.
