Poverty-Stricken Actor Glen Gabela Received a R50K Salary While Working on ‘Uzalo’

• Glen Gabela has finally addressed what he was doing with the R50,000 he received while working on Uzalo
• The actor recently trended after a video of him appealing to good Samaritans for help went viral
• While many people pitied him and donated to help improve his living situation, others accused him of misusing his salary

Glen Gabela recently opened up about his salary while working at Uzalo.

The legendary actor, who played Pastor Mdletshe on the famous show, moved South Africans to tears after sharing the state of his living conditions since leaving Uzalo. In a now-viral video posted on 14 August 2025, he pleaded with Mzansi for donations to improve his life.

After news broke out that he received a hefty R50,000 a month on the show, many accused Gabela of misusing his salary.

The Soweto-born actor told DailySUN on 25 August that after deductions, he was left with practically nothing to live off of:

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"My biggest problem was SARS taking 25% of my salary, leaving me with R37,000. With that, I had to cover my debit orders and other responsibilities, which totalled R32,000. I was then left with R5,000 to push through the month."

More on his expenses, Gabela paid R10,200 for his apartment in Umdloti, a resort village in KwaZulu-Natal, and also bought a car to travel to and from work.

While thanking those who opened their hearts to help him, he also hoped that those who were sceptical would one day understand his situation:

"I would like to appreciate all who understand my situation and have helped without judging me. I pray that those who were judging me will also understand my circumstances."

After managing to improve his livelihood with help from good Samaritans and possible intervention from Minister Gayton McKenzie, the actor is now asking for funding to produce his own shows.

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He hopes that the move will potentially help him and other artists sustain their lives.

Social media weighs in on Glen Gabela's situation

Meanwhile, some online users are still sceptical and continue to slam the actor for not making wiser financial decisions:

FransSekonya was curious:

"All these years, what has he been doing with his salary?"

BeckyFromJHB said:

"There are 8 million unemployed South Africans who have never had the chance to make money like he did, yet we are supposed to give our hard-earned cash to him?"

MLANDO60870174 asked:

"What did he do with the money he was receiving from acting? We know he was once in Uzalo for years. They didn't pay him peanuts; he was acting in many other stories. I stopped feeling pity for these people."

Kanan_Mfundo wrote:

"If I may ask, what are the South African celebrities doing with their pay? It's time they made better financial decisions, because we are on our own. The government doesn't care."

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molebatsibertha called out Glen Gabela:

"This guy has been doing acting his whole life, since the 90s. He couldn't get a stand when things were still cheaper and build himself a home? Aowa man, you blame the industry unnecessarily."

Gayton McKenzie accused of failing Nandi Nyembe

In an earlier report, Briefly News shared online reactions to Gayton McKenzie's tribute message to the late actress Nandi Nyembe.

Social media users accused the Minister of failing to support Nyembe, who died months after he promised to visit her and improve her livelihood.

Source: Briefly News