This week, in a CELEBRITY and MONEY we chat to Sindani Mbatha, a stand-up comedian and actor.  He has featured in a comedy slot of Ukhozi FM’s Vukukhanye Afrika show and Izwi Lomzansi FM. He featured in Sarafina! (The Movie) and James Ingram’s One More Time video. Lately, he has a comedy segment on Inanda FM and is a sought-after act at functions

Did you ever get pocket money when you were young?
Yes, I used to. I used to get it, but it was only after I had acted and recited the praises of
Zulu kings when I was still in primary school.

When did you first open a bank account, where was it?
It was in 1992, I opened it at FNB.

What lessons do you remember about money from your childhood?
I learnt from my brother to save and never to buy what I want, but to buy what I need.

What’s the best thing you’ve done with money?
I used the money I made from Sarafina! (The Movie) to pay for my (drama studies) at
UDW (the University of Durban Westville, now University of KwaZulu-Natal).

What did you do with your first pay? 
 I started working in 1988 when I was still in high school, earning R175. I treated myself with
R35 and gave the balance to my grandmother, who raised me. 

What’s the best advice you ever got about money?
To save and invest it so it will benefit the next generation, and help people in need fulfil their
dreams in life. 

What’s the worst mistake you’ve done with money? 
I spent it trying to please people closer to me and my relatives who had ulterior motives.

Have you ever been involved in a pyramid scheme? 
I would be lying. Although would-be scammers once tried to lure, claiming I had won a
Toyota Prado, but I did not fall for it.

How would you spend R1 million from lottery winnings?
I would use it to better the life of my family, donate some to the needy and help the country’s
struggling artists. 

What’s your money advice to people in your industry?
In my field it’s difficult because when the dry season hits, it really is dry, but when the tide
turns, it can cloud your judgment, tempting you to live unnecessarily extravagantly.

(My word of advice is) “go to the ant, you sluggard… consider its ways…”. The ant is a wise
tiny insect. (In summer), it collects its provision for when winter arrives, when it becomes
hard to leave its hole.