Winnie Ntshaba reveals her first PAYCHECK! [video]

South African actress Winnie Ntshaba opened up about her acting journey during an interview on Radio 2000’s Better Together with Sis Ntombi.

In a TikTok clip from the interview, Winnie spoke about her skincare routine, her journey to joining the stellar cast of the iconic Generations, and the amount she earned from her first paycheck.

WINNIE NTSHABA REVEALS FIRST PAYCHECK FIGURE 

Reflecting on her career in this cutthroat industry, Winnie said her experience has been mostly positive, although she acknowledged that, just like any profession, it also has its downsides.

The Generations: The Legacy actress initially dreamed of becoming a doctor but changed her mind during matric and instead studied Drama at university.

Speaking about her first paycheck as an actress, Winnie revealed that she earned R2,900. She believes it was a lot of money back in 1998, as she managed to cover multiple responsibilities.

“It was a lot. I was sending some home. I was living in [the] North West. I bought furniture. It was a lot,” she said.

@winnientshaba_za ♬ original sound – Bawinile Ntshaba

LANDING THE ‘GENERATIONS’ GIG

Lady luck was on Winnie’s side when she finally joined the soapie in 2005, portraying the timid Khethiwe Buthelezi after auditioning multiple times. Her character was reprised in September 2026, 21 years after she left.

Speaking about manifesting a spot on Generations before its rebrand to Generations: The Legacy, Winnie said she firmly believed in her vision, and that resilience eventually paid off.

“The passion and calling kept on speaking inside me that one day I’ll get in there. Believe you me, when I was now [sic] in Joburg, I remember my agent calling me and saying there is a role that they want you for Generations but you’re only going to get two calls. I said to her, ‘No I’m not going to take that,’ as starving as I was. I was like, ‘I’m not going to take that because I had a vision,” she said.

AGEING LIKE FINE WINE

Sis Ntombi and TikTok users marvelled at Winnie’s flawless skin, which she humbly attributed to her mother’s genes, adding that her sister’s skin is just as beautiful.

Mamoletji: 51 years??The hands are glowing as well. She looks 41 years old.

Buyie: Loved that she didn’t lie about skin care because genes really play a big role in other people.

Phelisa: She’s naturally beautiful and aging gracefully. Love her.

Sonia Samgi507: Look at her skin. I noticed before I heard the conversation.