Pebetsi Matlaila Opens Up About Living at a Shelter With Her Children

Former Skeem Saam actress Pebetsi Nolo Matlaila says she and her children are staying at a shelter as she tries to rebuild her life and manage financial hardship. In a social media video, the 38-year-old described the accommodation as a women and children’s safety house run by the police department, saying residents are provided for and that she feels safe there. Matlaila said her money problems began after she left her partner without an income. She did not explain the circumstances of the separation, but said the shelter supports women who arrive in connection with domestic violence and can give them time to feel safe or regain their footing before leaving. The actress said her radio work and occasional acting jobs have not been enough to cover her needs. She has been trying to get by on her single radio job, but said finding additional work has been difficult. Her account offers a glimpse of the pressures facing her as she looks after her children while seeking a more stable situation. Matlaila also said she has struggled to ask relatives and friends for help because she does not want to burden them. She spoke particularly about her mother, who does not live in the town where Matlaila is based and visits her own home mainly on holidays and weekends. Matlaila said her mother has already made significant sacrifices for her and her children, and that some family members see her as relying too heavily on her mother. Despite the strain, Matlaila said she is trying to pick up the pieces on her own. Her disclosure puts her current housing and financial challenges in the spotlight, while she emphasises that the shelter has provided a safe place for her and her children as she works out her next steps.