‘I was really tired of fame’ – Zandi Nhlapho details her decision to venture into business

by Bongiwe Mati

Former Simunye (SABC1) presenter and businesswoman, Zandisile Nhlapho, has spoken out about fame and why she chose to live her life outside of the entertainment industry’s social circles, even though she was one of the most popular celebrities during her time.

Visiting Tholo Motaung’s The Business Talk on Opulance Radio, the media personality shared what drove her to branch into business adding, “How I ended up in business or how I ended up getting into business is because I was really tired of fame.

“You know fame is a monster guys, fame is a monster that can devour you without you even knowing that it’s doing that, to the point where you lose yourself.”

She went on to share that she wasn’t enjoying fame anymore, adding that she doesn’t understand why people want to be famous. Zandi added that she sees fame as “an invisible beast.”

Tholo then spoke about how much others in the entertainment industry enjoy being famous adding, “I know of people who had been really famous, and when they lost it, they even fell into depression because now it’s more of, they get into the restaurant, no one pays attention to them, or they get into a petrol station, and nobody’s says anything.”

Zandi confirmed that what the presenter was making reference to, was the invisible beast.

“Then it defines you, and what who you become, without it then you are nothing or you feel like nothing.”

She went on to say, “It never defined me, it never defined who I was, I actually hated it (fame). I guess this is the reason I would never attend events, I’d never attend parties. You could hardly find me anywhere because of it.”

“For me it felt like it (fame) makes you feel like a consumable thing, a consumable thing you can consume it and discard afterwards.”

WATCH: Zandi speaks of fame

Also see: ‘I refused to be viewed as a celebrity’ – Selimathunzi’s Dosto Noge speaks on surviving fame | Bona Magazine