Starting a business is always a gamble.

Even for celebrities with substantial wealth, influence, and fan bases, success in entrepreneurship is never guaranteed. Many South African stars have ventured into the world of business, but not all have found enduring success.

Today, we take a closer look at 10 South African celebrities whose businesses, despite initial promise, faced challenges that led to their downfall.

South Africa’s entertainment industry has seen numerous celebrities diversify their portfolios, moving beyond their core talents to explore entrepreneurial ventures. However, as this list reveals, fame alone doesn’t always translate into sustained business success.

From beauty products and luxury furniture to restaurants and alcoholic beverages, these ventures demonstrate the risks involved in pursuing entrepreneurship, even for those with widespread recognition.

Kim, professionally known as KY, is a household name in South Africa thanks to her acting and television presence. She rose to prominence as the second-place winner in a major South African competition, cementing her place as one of the most talented actresses in the country.

In 2018, Kim announced the launch of her personal brand in the beauty industry. This included a collaboration with a businessman to develop Green Outdoor Gyms, which aimed to empower youth through education, employment, and mentorship programs.

Her venture into beauty products also showcased her ambition, but unfortunately, the businesses faced immense hurdles. From stiff market competition to distribution challenges, her ventures failed to achieve the expected level of success, leaving fans and the actress herself disappointed.

Another notable entrepreneur whose business failed is Boity Thulo. Over the years, Boity has been a media personality admired for her business acumen and creativity.

In 2020, she launched a perfume brand called “Boity Pink Sapphire,” which she described as a representation of a modern African queen. Despite its launch being met with excitement, the business faced pricing challenges.

Reports surfaced about the perfume being sold at heavily discounted prices, leading to speculation about its lack of demand.

Boity later admitted that the business had failed but promised to keep trying and moving forward. While the failure of this perfume line was a setback, Boity has remained resilient, continuing to launch new products and collaborations.

DJ Zinhle is another South African celebrity who has shown incredible entrepreneurial spirit. Her jewelry brand, Era by DJ Zinhle, has been a major success. However, not all her ventures have followed the same trajectory.

In particular, her luxury furniture business, Jiyane Atelier, faced significant difficulties. In 2022, the company reportedly shut down due to liquidation and compliance issues.

While the DJ did not publicly address the closure, reports suggested that challenges like unpaid returns and theft by an employee further contributed to the business’s demise. Despite this, Zinhle remains an influential entrepreneur, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.

Kelly Khumalo, a celebrated singer and businesswoman, also faced hurdles in her business ventures.

Known for chasing financial opportunities with determination, Kelly made headlines when she launched her premium alcoholic beverage, “Controversy Gin.” The gin was positioned as a high-quality, locally produced product available in select stores.

However, the timing of the launch in 2020, during South Africa’s lockdowns and bans on alcohol sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic, severely impacted the business. The lockdown derailed her plans for expansion, and the business ultimately failed to thrive in the competitive market.

Zodwa Wabantu, famous for her dancing and controversial personality, also explored entrepreneurship but with mixed results. She ventured into multiple businesses, including a hair salon named Seven Star Salon, a perfume line called “Zodwa Wabantu Raw,” and a poultry farming business.

Despite her enthusiasm, none of these ventures achieved substantial success. Her perfume was not widely distributed, and her salon struggled to maintain consistent operations.

While Zodwa is known for her bold and fearless nature, the unpredictable challenges of the business world have proven difficult for her to navigate.

Somizi Mhlongo, one of South Africa’s most beloved media personalities, also entered the business world with high hopes. He opened Fusion Cocktail Lounge, a restaurant in Johannesburg that aimed to bring people together in a glamorous setting.

Unfortunately, the restaurant faced significant challenges, including financial struggles and difficulties maintaining operations during South Africa’s electricity load-shedding crisis. Reports suggested that staff went unpaid, stock was not replenished, and the restaurant often closed unexpectedly, leading to its eventual shutdown.

Despite this setback, Somizi remains a prominent figure in South Africa’s entertainment industry.

Maps Maponyane, a well-known TV personality and actor, also faced business challenges. In 2018, he shared on social media the heartbreak he experienced when his tech business focused on music marketing failed.

Maps had invested his savings into the venture and surrounded himself with a capable team, but the business ultimately collapsed. Later, in 2019, he ventured into the food industry by opening “Buns Out,” a burger restaurant that initially gained popularity.

However, by 2021, the business began closing its branches due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, eventually shutting down entirely. Despite the setbacks, Maps continues to explore new opportunities in business.

Cassper Nyovest, one of South Africa’s most popular rappers, has always been an ambitious entrepreneur. From music to fashion and alcohol, Cassper has diversified his portfolio with a range of ventures.

However, not all of them have succeeded. In 2018, he opened the “Family Tree” merchandise store in Johannesburg. Despite positive reviews, the store ceased operations that same year, and its social media pages went inactive.

While the exact reasons for the closure remain unclear, it highlights the unpredictability of entrepreneurship, even for someone as influential as Cassper.

Emtee, a rapper celebrated for his talent, tried to diversify his income by launching a rolling paper brand called “Emtee Rolling Paper.” The idea seemed promising, given the growing market for recreational cannabis products in South Africa.

However, the business never took off. Fans only ever saw promotional images of the product, and the brand failed to make it to market.

Whether this venture was simply a concept that fizzled out or a failed attempt at entering the business world, it became another example of the challenges faced by celebrities in entrepreneurship.

Lastly, Makhadzi, a singer beloved for her music, announced her plans to launch a cosmetics line called “Mavoda” and a sneaker line in collaboration with Kicks Sportswear.

The cosmetic range was intended to include body lotions, petroleum jelly, and lip gloss, while the sneakers were expected to cater to her growing fan base. Unfortunately, these ventures failed to gain traction, with fans waiting in vain for official launch dates.

While Makhadzi remains an iconic figure in the music industry, her entrepreneurial ventures have yet to find the same level of success.

These stories highlight the challenges faced by South African celebrities who attempt to transition from entertainment to business.

While fame can provide a platform for visibility, it doesn’t guarantee success in the competitive and often unpredictable world of entrepreneurship. From poor timing and market challenges to management and compliance issues, the obstacles are numerous.

However, these failures also serve as lessons and stepping stones for many of these celebrities. Their willingness to take risks, learn from setbacks, and keep pursuing their goals is a testament to their resilience.

As they continue to explore new opportunities, it’s clear that their entrepreneurial spirit remains undeterred, even in the face of adversity.

Whether it’s Kelly Khumalo’s gin, Boity’s perfume, or Cassper Nyovest’s merchandise store, these ventures reflect a shared aspiration among celebrities to expand their influence and leave a lasting legacy beyond their entertainment careers.

And while not every attempt is successful, their stories inspire others to dream big and take bold steps toward achieving their goals.

In conclusion, business failures are not the end but a part of the journey. For South African celebrities, their entrepreneurial ventures, regardless of the outcome, continue to add depth to their careers and provide valuable lessons about perseverance and adaptability in an ever-changing world.