Fanele Ntuli, an actress from Durban, is making waves on the internet with her vlogs and winning hearts as Nomaswazi Magwaza on Uzalo.
Ntuli used to work behind the counters at Capitec Bank, though.
Ntuli was working for one of the biggest banks in South Africa, serving customers and gaining life-changing knowledge before the bright lights and TV cameras.
It was not always Ntuli’s destiny to be in the spotlight.
After experiencing difficulties with her University of Johannesburg accounting degree and taking a year off to recuperate, Ntuli was able to secure a regular nine-to-five position at Capitec Bank.
She refers to those times as her “Capitec days” on her Instagram page, and they were not easy.
Wearing the bank’s uniform, she talked about how she witnessed everything, from clients drowning in debt to the harsh realities of financial hardship.
“I learnt so much about finances here and got to see the dark side of how debt can cripple your life,” she posted on Sunday, along with throwback pictures.
Advocating for financial independence
Ntuli was learning things that would help her stay rooted in the competitive world of acting, not just counting money and swiping cards.
“Being in an unstable industry, we really need to know how to handle our finances for long-term sustenance and gain information on how to save for retirement as best as we can,” she said.
“Grateful for this phase in my life, working in the bank was how I got to transfer to Jozi to eventually get into a drama school.
“With my sister’s assistance, I gained admission to a drama college, which subsequently led to my scouting by an agency.”
When she landed her first significant role as Dr Thandekile Zondo in Durban Gen (2020–2023), she used the patience and hustle she had learnt at the bank.
Now, Ntuli’s portrayal of the fierce Nomaswazi Magwaza in Uzalo, a weekday telenovela on SABC1, has Mzansi glued to TV screens.
She is now all about advocating for financial independence to her followers and other industry colleagues after witnessing firsthand how debt can destroy lives.
