Podzani Tshuma
Fame can be unforgiving sometimes, especially when you retire with nothing tangible. We all know that everyone joins a profession with a dream of building an empire of their own, but that dream or vision can be lost in the long run.
At one point you will be topping the headlines and billboards for your unbeatable skills and talent but when you are unable to match the expectations of your fans, distress can be a thud on your shoulders.
We have seen our brothers and sisters in the entertainment industry and sports industry leaving their best lives when everything is still fine and when their contracts are terminated, they turn into the streets and will be left in huge debts. These are the same people who drove flashy cars and spent most of their nights in expensive suites in different hotels.
I read an article where a boxer was quoted saying, “as celebrities or famous people we love fast lives, but one thing certain is that it’s a fake lifestyle.” This type of lifestyle has left many swimming in a pool of debts. Someone will be overspending on useless things, trying to impress followers on Instagram and Facebook.
Are we wrong as fans for expecting too much from our favourite sport personnel and musician? These people get consumed with the lifestyle they don’t afford to please us. Is that what we want from them?
This got me thinking that maybe as fans we contribute to their recklessness because we support them even if we see that what they are doing is wrong. We put them under pressure by scrutinising everything they do.
I feel like sometimes we are responsible for what they do, we compare them with people who have already made it and have their lives figured out. We can’t let them do things they will regret in future. We should advise and encourage them to invest in businesses that will sustain them after retirement.
We have read about artists who were signed out of big record labels and were left in huge debts and they are still struggling to pick up themselves. It is sad to see someone who was your favourite losing all he had and is no longer on the spotlight just because they never planned for their future. We can all blame their managers and all, but it comes back to the fact that one needs to have a backup plan in every profession you are in.
Recently, a famous boxer in Zimbabwe, Charles Manyuchi opened up about his retirement plan. He is not only good in the ring but also in farming. He mentioned that his business is doing so well and also said his focus is on his farm he wants to build his empire so that when he retires his future will be secured.
I have also read story of a Zimbabwean soccer player based in South Africa, who donated meal mealie to the residents of Mzilikazi, where he grew up in, and has promised to do more for his community because they made him the person he is now. It’s a good thing to see our brothers doing the best to give back to the communities they come from.
Instead of supporting these fake lifestyle and social media lifestyles of our famous sisters and brothers, we need to tell them to invest in tangible businesses to secure their lives after retirement. Riches are like fog you can be the richest person today but tomorrow you can the poorest person. It is important to impact knowledge about the importance of savings and in self sustainable businesses. Above all discipline is important and it can sustain your stay at the top.
Keep in mind that fame comes with lots of expectations but remember that when it’s gone you cannot retain it, do your best while you still have the opportunity and secure your future by investing in something that will sustain your legacy.
NUST JOURNAL-ZW 