Veteran actor Roderick Jaftha has told his Facebook followers that his body collapsed and his blood pressure shot up after years of stress.
The 63-year-old shared the post on Friday, 6 November, with a picture of himself lying in bed, The South African reported.
“Comes a time when you have to face your mortality. This morning, I finally broke. Years of stress buildup finally caught up with me. My body collapsed, my blood pressure shot through the roof. I could hardly move. Yet and still, I have to march on,” he wrote.
Jaftha said his children gave him strength. “Seeing the worried look on my kid’s faces strengthened me. Made me more determined than ever to win this fight. I’m so close. Either to victory or death,” he wrote.
The actor is known for roles in the soapies Generations, Villa Rosa and Rhythm City. He has also appeared in the films Kings of Jo’Burg and The Emissary.
In the days before this post, Jaftha shared other messages about going through “dire personal circumstances” and “suffering in silence”.
Many of his followers left comments asking him to stay hopeful and positive.
One follower pointed to the number of actors facing poor health and money problems. Jaftha replied: “Perhaps we need a minister that can fix things, amongst other solutions.”
“It’s not about political affiliation for me. Someone needs to take a hard look at the dealings and shenanigans that are going on behind the scenes, crippling the industry,” he added.
Another follower said actors and sports stars need classes in money management. Jaftha said the comment came “from a place of ignorance as to how this business works”.
He explained that most actors do not earn much, even when they are working. He said most of the money goes to producers and channels.
“We do not get paid residuals, as is the case in most countries. The work itself can also be fleeting in nature. The government taxes us 25% of every cent we earn. Medical aid and pension are your own responsibility,” he wrote.
Jaftha said actors often get contracts that last only a year. When a contract ends and is not renewed, they must live on their savings. He said they could be without work for a whole year.
“Most of us are constantly starting from scratch,” he wrote. “No amount of financial management helps you. I know, I’ve tried.”
He added that contract workers also struggle to qualify for a home loan or car finance. “It’s a nightmare,” he said.
In 2024, Jaftha asked the public for donations to buy food for his family and pay his rent. Reports later said Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie gave R5 000 to help him.
Source: this article is based on reporting by The South African. Image: The South African. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Entertainment desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Rirhandzu Baloyi writes about entertainment for Tzaneen Voice. Rirhandzu covers South African music, film, TV, streaming, awards and celebrity news, from amapiano and local soapies to Showmax and Netflix releases. Stories stick to what happened, who was involved and when fans can watch or listen.