There’s been an outpouring of sympathy for fallen Jam Alley presenter and former actress Vinolia Mashego.
This is after this paper reported that Mashego, popularly know as V-Mash, was found naked outside the back room she is renting in Kew, north of Jozi.
When we visited Mashego, we discovered she was living in poor conditions.
Mashego, who has been renting a room for about two months, had only a mattress and one blanket in her room.
This is a far cry from sleeping at five-star hotels, as she did during her peak – as an MC at events while she was still hot property at Jam Alley. She has since become a beggar – asking neighbours to donate food and blankets.
After we published last week’s story, renowned dancer and choreographer Somizi Mhlongo and other celebs came forward to help her.
Mhlongo says he was touched by the story. He says Mashego is one of the people he loves in the entertainment industry.
“I’m not saying I have much, but I’m willing to help her to get back on her feet again. I don’t just want to offer her money, but also my support,” says Mhlongo.
He says he sympathises with Mashego because he knows what she is going through and celebs need to be each other’s insurance.
“You can’t take away talent and it’s never over until God says so,” says Mhlongo.
Pastor Sello Mophethe of Eagle Christian Church says he doesn’t know her personally, but after he read the story about Mashego he and congregants at his church decided to offer their help.
“We don’t know how to reach her, but we are willing to support in terms of a job so that she can earn money to buy food and clothing,” says Mophethe.
Mophethe says if Mashego, who played Hilda in Generations, doesn’t want a job they can offer blankets and clothes.
Among other good Samaritans, Velly Silinda says it’s sad that such a role model and inspiration to many youths can end up like that.
“I just want to extend my hand and help her pick up the pieces of her life in the form of a roof over her head and transport to get her going.
“Who knows, maybe she will have a breakthrough,” he says.
But this week we learnt that Mashego moved out of her rented room and nobody knows where she has moved to.
Her neighbours, who didn’t want their names published, say Mashego told them she was moving out because “they are out to get her”.
“Last time we spoke to her she hinted she was moving to Hillbrow or back to her home in Pretoria,” says the neighbour.
When her landlord Lerato Ngwenya was contacted, a lady who picked up the phone said Mashego moved out and they didn’t know where she was.
“ Why don’t you call her on her cellphone?” they said.
But Mashego lost her cellphone the night she was found naked. She couldn’t be reached for comment on the good news about the help that is being offered.
Article courtesy of Sunday World