South African music sensation and dancer Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona, better known as Makhadzi, has opened up about her financial difficulties despite her recent success. The Limpopo-born star, who won the BET Viewers Choice: Best International Act award, shared her struggles during an interview with the Podcast and Chill team, as reported by Sunday World.
In a heartfelt revelation, Makhadzi disclosed that she had to borrow money from a mashonisa (loan shark) to afford plane tickets to Los Angeles, California, for the awards ceremony. The significance of her victory was heightened by the fact that it coincided with her birthday.
Despite the win, the Zwivhuya hitmaker admitted she is facing severe financial challenges and owes a substantial amount to the South African Revenue Service (SARS). “It is not a secret, I was in the newspapers whatever, I think, last year somewhere. I don’t know who sold me out because I feel like these SARS things—it’s like someone goes to spice you to tarnish you,” she said.
Makhadzi revealed that all her monthly earnings are directed towards paying off her debt. “So, I end up not having money for myself. For me to come here I had to go to mashonisa to get a loan because this month end, no matter if there is a BET, I have to pay. I had to borrow money to afford business class because besides everything, I must be the superstar that I am.”
Despite these hardships, Makhadzi remains confident in her career and chose to attend the awards show, demonstrating her resilience and belief in herself. Her financial woes are not new; in December 2023, Sunday World reported that her multi-million rand tax bill had been reduced by 60% after she enlisted tax consultants to challenge SARS.
Earlier in 2023, the Matorokisi hitmaker was hit with a staggering R6.6 million tax bill by SARS. The same year, she and her production company, Open Mic, were embroiled in an R8.2-million lawsuit with Kicks Sportswear over a failed sneaker deal. The company claimed that Makhadzi and her company breached their partnership agreement by not promoting the Kicks Kokovha sneakers as required.
