When Kwaito superstar L’vovo Derrango, born Thokozani Ndlovu, faced one of the most difficult periods of his life following a life-changing stroke, his recovery became about more than simply getting back on his feet. It became a reminder of how vulnerable people in South Africa’s creative industry can become when illness, financial difficulties, loss of income and personal challenges collide.
Too often, South Africa hears heartbreaking stories of music legends and cultural icons who, after spending decades entertaining and inspiring the nation, find themselves struggling to make ends meet later in life. Some face financial hardship, loss of income, limited access to healthcare, mounting family responsibilities and uncertainty about their future, despite having contributed significantly to shaping the country’s cultural landscape.
For some creatives, a sudden illness or health crisis can bring an already fragile financial situation into sharp focus. Without adequate savings, medical support or long-term planning, artists can find themselves unable to access the healthcare they need or provide for their families when they are no longer able to work. In some cases, families are left carrying the financial and emotional burden.
For Dumisani Teddy Nyathi, entrepreneur, philanthropist and chairman of the Nyatee Impact Foundation, L’vovo’s story has opened a much bigger conversation about what happens to artists when the spotlight disappears. Nyathi was among those who stepped forward to help bring people together around L’vovo as he began rebuilding his life, reconnecting with the public and working towards a return to music.
A concern bigger than one artist
L’vovo’s experience has also prompted Nyathi to raise concerns about the broader state of support available to people working in the creative industries.
“South Africa has one of the continent’s most vibrant entertainment sectors, broadcasters, sport stars, actors, producing musicians, dancers, writers, producers and other creative professionals whose work contributes significantly to the country’s cultural identity and economy.“
Yet Nyathi believes too many creatives can find themselves without adequate financial planning, long-term support or meaningful safety nets when their careers are interrupted by illness, financial hardship or changing circumstances. Many creatives build careers in an industry where income can be unpredictable, with periods of success often followed by long stretches without consistent work. For some, there is limited financial planning, retirement preparation, healthcare planning or access to practical guidance on managing income and protecting the value of their work.
For Nyathi, it is warning that support should not only arrive when someone reaches a crisis point.
“The creative industry needs to be properly supported because these are people who give so much of themselves to South Africa,” says Nyathi.
“We celebrate artists when they are successful. We celebrate the songs, the performances and the achievements. But we also need to ask what happens when the money stops, when an artist becomes sick, when they can no longer perform or when they are going through a personal crisis. We should be preparing people before the crisis happens. Financial literacy, financial planning, access to support and understanding how to protect what you earn are important conversations that need to happen much earlier in an artist’s career.”
He says the industry also needs to create an environment where asking for help is not seen as a weakness.
“There should be no shame in saying, ‘I need help.’ Sometimes people are struggling quietly because they are afraid of what people will say. By the time the public knows about the problem, the situation has already become very serious.”
Creating a second chance
Nyathi says the experience has strengthened his vision for the Nyatee Impact Foundation and its future work in the creative sector.
The foundation intends to explore the development of a dedicated legacy fund aimed at supporting artists and other creative professionals who find themselves facing difficult circumstances.
The proposed initiative would look beyond emergency assistance, with a focus on education, mental wellness, Financial literacy, budgeting and saving, retirement planning, healthcare and medical planning, emergency preparedness, tax compliance, understanding contracts, intellectual property and royalties, copyright protection, managing irregular income, investment and wealth creation, estate planning, life and disability cover, mental wellbeing, substance-abuse awareness, family financial planning, succession planning, business management, entrepreneurship, building sustainable income streams, negotiating fair fees, understanding deals and publishing agreements, protecting personal brands, digital monetisation, financial accountability and planning for life beyond the spotlight.
“We need to move beyond only helping when somebody is already in trouble. I would like to see a legacy fund that can help creatives understand money, plan for their futures and build something that can sustain them beyond their most successful years. We want to help create people who are not only talented, but who are also equipped to manage the opportunities that come with that talent.”
He says the long-term vision is to create a platform where artists can access knowledge and support that could potentially prevent some of the crises that affect people later in their careers.
“This is not about giving people handouts. It is about giving people tools, knowledge and an opportunity to build sustainable lives.”
Thanking Bishop Vusi Dube
As part of the journey, Nyathi and the Nyatee Impact Foundation recently visited Mfundisi Bishop Vusi Dube at eThekwini Community Church.
The visit was not about a new announcement or campaign, but simply about gratitude.
Nyathi wanted to personally thank Bishop Dube for being among those who supported L’vovo during a difficult chapter of his life.
“We went to say thank you. Sometimes we become so focused on the next thing that we forget to acknowledge the people who stood with us when things were difficult. Mfundisi Dube opened his doors and showed L’vovo love and support. That matters. We wanted to acknowledge that and say thank you properly.”
The visit also gave Nyathi an opportunity to reflect on the role faith, community and human connection can play in recovery. As L’vovo’s story became public, South Africans responded with messages of encouragement, prayers, love and financial support. A fundraising initiative led by Yenziwe Ndimande also helped mobilise donations for the musician during his difficult period. Nyathi says that response should not be attributed to any one person.
The philosophy he wants to carry into the future work of the Nyatee Impact Foundation is to move from crisis response to long-term empowerment, helping creatives build sustainable lives through education, financial literacy, healthcare awareness, family support, entrepreneurship and practical tools that can protect their livelihoods and prepare them for life beyond the spotlight.
“Our vision is about communities and people. It is about asking what we can build today that will still help someone tomorrow. The creative industry has a responsibility to look after the people who make it possible. These are human beings before they are celebrities. They have families. They have fears. They get sick. They experience loss. They can struggle financially. We need to remember the person behind the public image. Sometimes a second chance does not come from one big moment. “
