"That's a Lot": Salary of a South African YouTuber Leaves Mzansi Talking

• TikTok creator @liferesetwithboni posted a payslip on 24 August showing a South African YouTuber's earnings
• The clip cleared doubts about whether local creators could make real money from the platform, sparking huge interest
• Many South Africans reacted with surprise and inspiration, seeing it as proof of new income opportunities in the digital space
• Briefly News spoke to four local creators named VeeJay HD, Dreaded Mammie, Zuko Ndzakana, and Nothando Kuyanda Gabela, and they all shared their insights on the misconceptions around YouTube income, the toughest challenges they face, and the advice they would give to aspiring creators

South Africans were left amazed after a TikTok revealed a local YouTuber’s payslip of R150,924.50, proving that digital content creation can pay off in a big way.

Mzansi has been buzzing ever since TikTok creator @liferesetwithboni dropped a clip that revealed the payslip of a local YouTuber. Posted on 24 August 2025, the video showed earnings of R150,924.50; an amount that immediately set the internet on fire. Known for her content around salary transparency, Boni often posts different payslips to spark honest conversations about income. This time, though, she struck a nerve by clearing up a long-running debate about YouTubers in South Africa.

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For years, many online conversations painted a bleak picture of local creators, with people saying YouTubers couldn’t possibly make a living. The payslip shown in Boni’s video turned that idea on its head. It wasn’t just a number; it was proof that digital content creation can, in fact, be lucrative when done consistently and strategically.

More than just clicks and views

What made the video so impactful is how it bridged the gap between perception and reality. Social media is often filled with speculation about influencers, how they make money, whether their lifestyles are real, and if they can sustain themselves. By showing the YouTuber’s actual payment, Boni gave the public a rare, transparent look into an industry that usually leaves people guessing.

For viewers, the figure wasn’t only shocking; it was inspiring. It highlighted how South Africans are finding creative ways to earn in the digital economy, and it encouraged many to think differently about online platforms. Instead of assuming content creation is just a hobby, the payslip served as proof that it can compete with, and even surpass, traditional jobs in terms of income.

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The response online has been huge, with many users expressing admiration and surprise. Others took the opportunity to reflect on their own work choices and the possibilities of side hustles or new career paths. At its core, the post was more than just about one YouTuber’s income; it was a reminder of how quickly the digital world is reshaping what success looks like.

Nothando Kuyanda Gabela highlighted that many South Africans do not fully understand how the YouTube system works until they join. She stressed that content creation often requires significant financial investment and self-motivation, with little immediate return. For her, success comes from building a loyal community that genuinely enjoys your work. She explained:

"Well, I can’t speak for all South Africans, but most of them don’t really know how it works. They only get a shock once they join the space and see the requirements needed to succeed and actually get something out of YouTube. Last but definitely not least, surround yourself with people who are doing the same thing as you. It will keep you motivated, and you’ll have people to collaborate with."

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Zuko Ndzakana, a fashion, lifestyle and social commentary vlogger, pointed out that South African creators earn far less than their international counterparts. He said that short-form content platforms have affected how viewers engage with long-form videos, making it even harder to grow a channel. He also warned that building a YouTube career requires patience, persistence, and often personal networks. He noted:

"Firstly, YouTube doesn’t pay South Africans as much as our fellow US YouTubers... The advice I would give emerging content creators would be don’t do it for money because you will be highly disappointed... Normally, your channel would grow because you have famous friends, and people will get to experience you through a friend and want to follow you, while for some of us, convincing people to watch a 30-minute video from you and they don’t know you is hard."

VeeJay HD emphasised that many South African YouTubers still rely on side hustles or full-time jobs to sustain themselves. He said brand partnerships are often gatekept, making it difficult for smaller creators to secure a steady income. For him, success depends on connecting deeply with local audiences and reflecting real South African culture. According to him:

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"Well, people get the idea that YouTubers in South Africa make money from their platform monetisation program, in which they do, but it's not as much money as people think... So to be successful, you need to be a true South African and show people your raw, positive self, and you can easily be successful."

Dreaded Mammie, a food and legal YouTuber, explained that many assume making money on YouTube is easy, but it takes consistent effort, financial investment, and time to qualify for monetisation. She added that creators can also explore alternative revenue streams such as brand collaborations, affiliate marketing, and selling their own products. She shared:

"I think the common misconception about making money on YouTube is that everyone can make money on YouTube and that money made by YouTubers is easy money... YouTube has a lot of creators, so one needs to be unique and creative and bring something people need to succeed on YouTube, so once you get that, you are good to go."

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Mzansi reacts to the payment

Katlego said:

"Not my lecture speaking about you today. 🤣❤️"

Zd said:

"My daughter, who is 10, wants to be a YouTuber. I’m worried for her safety."

Jack7ms said:

"Well done."

Nhlala La Baloyi said:

"Can you please look for a welder's salary?"

Rochelle Lewis said:

"I need to start working on my YouTube channel. 😅 Chest pains."

Life Reset With Boni said:

"Screen shorts available."

Sthabile said:

"Please do for podiatry."

Watch the TikTok video below:

3 Briefly News stories about YouTubers

• Mzansi netizens debated over whether Lasizwe or Ghost Hlubi is the King of YouTube in South Africa.
• Lerato Nxumalo revealed her impressive YouTube earnings, earning R58,000 (around $3,200) over the past 28 days.
• YouTuber Lasizwe has not addressed Mzansi's burning questions about why his contract with DStv ended.

Source: Briefly News