Actress and TV presenter Palesa Madisakwane has had to find a job to sustain herself, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. As an actress, TV host and reality TV star, she’s had to find other streams of income and doesn’t believe in putting her eggs in one basket.

The former Generations star says another challenge about being an actress is that you will get five calls and shoot 14 episodes in one day but you will get paid for one day, which can also be challenging. It doesn’t help that there is a young breed of celebs who have taken over in the industry.

"People want to see these young fresh faces. It is important for us to have some to fall back on," she says.

Palesa tells ZiMoja that she’s had to go back to working a nine to five job to make ends meet. "I realised acting and TV should not be my main source of income," she says, adding, "This is why you hear stories of celebs being down and out or dying paupers- it’s tough in this industry." Palesa also says being a freelancer has no benefits and that is why she has taken on a role and now works with businessman and philanthropist Themba Lukhele, better known as SkeemGP. They first started working together with the businessman when they were putting together a documentary about his life.

"Working with him has been bliss. We do edutainment theatre and industrial theatre, motivational talks at schools, events and project management and our clients range from government to private companies."

This is not the first time Skeem is helping out, ZiMoja reported that SkeemGP took in Sindisiwe Manqele, who was imprisoned for stabbing Skwatta Kamp’s Flabba, under his wing and offered her job in his company.

"He sees good in people and is not judgemental," Palesa concludes.