We often hear about competition in the entertainment industry—but every now and then, a story of genuine support comes along that reminds us what community looks like.
Actor Chrispen Nyathi, known for his role as Pastor Charleston on the hit show DiepCity, just shared a heartfelt story about how a fellow actress helped him through one of the toughest moments of his career.
Life After DiepCity Took a Tough Turn
When DiepCity wrapped up, Nyathi suddenly found himself out of work.
With no steady income, even making it to auditions became a challenge. In a Facebook post, the Zimbabwean-born actor opened up about how bleak things looked at the end of 2023.
“I was down and out. No job. DiepCity had come and gone,” he wrote.
At that point, he had an opportunity to audition for a KFC commercial, but didn’t have the money to attend.
Nompumelelo Vilakazi Stepped In Without Hesitation
Enter Nompumelelo Silindile Vilakazi, who played Sne on DiepCity.
When she found out what Nyathi was going through, she didn’t just offer words of encouragement—she sent money so he could attend the KFC audition.
And it didn’t stop there. When he got a callback, she covered his transport again.
When he had to go in for wardrobe fittings and eventually the shoot, she still helped—even though he hadn’t paid her back from the first time.
“This is how Nompumelelo Silindile Vilakazi contributed to my resurrection in the film and television industry,” he wrote with deep gratitude.
The Advert That Changed Everything
Nyathi’s gamble paid off. He landed the role in the now-iconic KFC ad, where he delivered the line that got South Africa talking: “Ngicela ushintshi baba.”
That one gig became a turning point. “After that advert, I never lacked,” he said.
It opened doors, gave him financial breathing room, and put him back in the spotlight.
More Industry Stars Like Her, Please
Nyathi’s story is more than just a comeback tale—it’s a reminder that behind every successful actor, there might be someone quietly supporting them.
And in this case, that someone was Nompumelelo Vilakazi.
She didn’t wait for payback, didn’t ask for credit—she simply helped because she could.
And now, because of her generosity, Nyathi is not only back on screen but thriving.