Moneoa opens up on her Mthatha grandmother’s millions

Speaking to Gareth Cliff on Cliff Central soul/pop singer and actor Moneoa Moshesh opened about her upbringing, painting it as a not so rosy but yet positive part of her life.

The singer, who says she had a rich grandmother, explains that despite being born in a rich family, things quickly took an unpleasant turn.

“My grandmother was the first female millionaire in Mthatha. She ran a lot of business and made her first million in 1976,” she said to Cliff, indicating further that the money quickly finished because her mom and her siblings didn’t fully know how to handle it. “Within five to six years, everything was gone. My Mom and I struggled, mostly throughout my high school. It was bad, like no water and electricity for weeks on end. It was hectic. Sometimes I would walk to school because she couldn’t afford to give me bus money,” she said. She however wittily explained that the long walks helped her because it wasn’t for them she wouldn’t be in shape as she is now.

She says growing up in a neighbourhood that didn’t exactly motivate kids to dream beyond the general popular careers, people had little faith in her dreams.

“In my mind I still knew that I would become a singer, an actress and a dancer, but I don’t think I believed it until it happened,” she indicated.  “People didn’t believe it would happen for me. My parent certainly didn’t believe it, and when it happened my mom was the first one to say girl I’m proud of you, now send me some money.”