MZANSI celebrities enjoy the spotlight and achieve great success.
Sadly, for some, this fame disappears once the money is gone.
In recent years, several South African artists have taken to social media to ask for financial help, with some even requesting donations from their fans to cover basic living expenses.
This highlights the financial struggles faced by many in the industry, despite the outward appearance of success.
That's something Joburg-based tax and legal expert Sesethu Cekeshe wants to change.
The 33-year-old, born in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, is the founder of Nuanced Advisory in Legal & Accounting (NALA), a firm that helps creatives understand tax, contracts, and the business side of their craft.
Her mission is straightforward: to help artists earn a living and build lasting legacies that extend beyond the spotlight.
"It's a mindset thing. Many creatives don't seek professional services because they see them as an unnecessary expense, but that mindset ends up costing them more in the long run."
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Sesethu explained that creatives' income is often unpredictable.
"One month you're up, the next you're down. That's why financial discipline and mentorship need to be part of the creatives' journey from the start."
Through NALA, Sesethu and her team simplify money matters for artists, musicians, and sports stars, helping them register businesses, handle contracts, and manage taxes.
"We make finances simple and real. We break it down in plain language, so creatives understand what's happening with their money. At the end of the day, their talent feeds them and their families, but that only works if they manage it like a business," she said.
Sesethu said one of the biggest challenges is cash flow.
"Creatives often live in the moment. You get paid R100 000 and feel like you've made it, then spend R80 000 a week. But the next gig might only come months later, and that's where the problem starts."
Sesethu advised artists to plan better and treat their big paydays like a monthly salary.
"If you earn R100 000, stretch it for three months. Planning is everything. Not everything must take us by surprise."
She encouraged creatives to invest in professional services.
"That's what wealthy people do. They have doctors, lawyers, and financial advisers on call. You don't have to be rich to start managing money properly. You manage money properly to become rich.
"Learn how money works early and never be ashamed to ask for help. The sooner you understand that financial literacy is power, the longer your success will last," she said.
