MZANSI’S entertainment scene is a dog-eats-dog world, and a thick skin is always needed in order to survive.
No one knows this better than sassy Cape Town actress Inathi Rhayi.
Speaking to SunBuzz, the Interrogation Room, Montana, Amaza and Tango actress said while acting gigs had dried up due to Covid-19, she was not about to give up hope.
“As a performer, you are as good as your last performance. There’s no job security in this industry. One moment you are on top of your game, securing gigs. Then the next you could be in a long audition queue. That’s just how it is,” said the soft-spoken Inathi.
Despite the ups and downs, she considers herself lucky to have recently secured some TV adverts to keep the wolf from the door.
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Her advice to other artists on how to survive is simple: “Make hay while the sun shines. In an industry like ours where you can go on for months or years without securing any major gig, it is important to save. That is what I’ve learnt over the years.”
Inathi also emphasised the importance of having a side hustle.
Together with her musician husband Zandisile Rhayi, she is planning to launch a lifestyle business in Cape Town.
“Securing a licence is a major stumbling block. But as soon as that is sorted, I am planning to focus on running a successful shisa nyama entertainment venue. I would advice my peers to also find something to do while they wait for gigs,” she said.
Over the years, Cape Town actors have often been forced to move to Joburg to make it big. Inathi said there’s a lot of talent in the Mother City, and production houses should assist artists.
