Veteran South African actor Carlo Radebe, best known for his role as Duke Ngcobo on e.tv’s former soapie “Backstage,” recently opened up about his ongoing financial struggles and the lack of consistent employment opportunities. In a candid interview with investigative TV journalist and radio presenter Bongani Bingwa on Radio 702, Radebe discussed how his failure to network effectively in the entertainment industry has contributed to his current situation.
Radebe’s financial difficulties have led him to make a public plea for assistance on social media, first in April and again recently. This move was met with mixed reactions, with some people expressing sympathy while others criticized his decision to seek help in this way.
During the interview, Radebe became emotional as he acknowledged the discomfort he felt in making his situation public. He expressed regret for upsetting those who were bothered by his plea but felt compelled to share his story. “I am so uncomfortable, and I am sorry for upsetting those that were upset. I had to come forward to tell my story,” he said.
Radebe also addressed the negative assumptions some people have made about him, including accusations that he is wasting money or engaging in irresponsible behavior. He emphasized that these assumptions are unfounded and do not reflect who he is as a person. “People are saying ‘this guy must get a job, didn’t we give him money and here he is again,’ others are saying that artists are busy doing drugs and running around with women and prostitutes, but anyone who knows me, knows I am not like that,” Radebe explained.
Reflecting on his career, Radebe admitted that his financial woes are largely due to his own mistakes, particularly his failure to network within the industry. He recalled how he assumed that after his role on “Backstage” ended, he would continue to find work without much effort. However, this assumption proved to be misguided.
“I have held on; this is not new. October will be exactly 19 years since my retrenchment from ‘Backstage,'” Radebe said. “When the show ended, I thought that I would be lucky and wouldn’t have to network to get another job. I thought that I would be fine.”
However, time passed, and work opportunities became increasingly scarce. Radebe explained that it took a year before he landed another job, which only lasted three months, thanks to the assistance of TV and film producer Mfundi Vundla. The experience taught him a hard lesson about the importance of networking in maintaining a career in the entertainment industry. “I am here today because I never networked,” he confessed.
Radebe urged young artists and businesspeople to prioritize networking, stressing that it is essential for success. “You cannot be marooned on an island thinking your lucky stars are going to be sparkling out of your head; you have to network,” he advised.
The actor also reflected on the challenges he has faced since losing his job, including losing his apartment, car, and many of his friends. Despite these hardships, he remains resilient and determined to move forward. “I am a no man. Usually, once you lose your job, you lose your apartment, you lose your car, and you turn around and see how many friends you have left. There is nothing wrong with it; it’s survival of the fittest,” Radebe said.
He concluded the interview by recommending two movies that he feels resonate with his journey: “127 Hours” starring James Franco and “Groundhog Day” with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. These films, according to Radebe, capture the essence of the challenges he has faced and continue to face in his life.