By Dylan Bettencourt
- Pebetsi Matlaila says she moved into a police-run shelter after leaving an abusive marriage and losing her income.
- The former Skeem Saam star says she’s rebuilding her life on her own without burdening her family.
Former Skeem Saam actress Pebetsi Matlaila has revealed that she and her children are living in a shelter for women and children after falling on hard times.
In a video, Pebetsi said she moved into the shelter after her marriage ended and she couldn’t afford rent. She said she had to speak out to take back her power and stop feeling ashamed of her situation.
“I went from a two-income household to a one-income household, and then to a low-income household,” she said.
Pebetsi said she now lives in a shelter run by the police, where she and her kids feel safe and have what they need while she works on getting back on her feet.
“I knew I would face challenges because of the decisions I made, but I’m trying to do this on my own without relying on my family,” she said.
She said the shelter gives women a safe space for as long as they need, especially those coming from abusive relationships. “They keep you here until you feel safe enough to leave.”
Pebetsi’s honesty comes after a painful period in her life. In a podcast interview last year, she spoke about how her mental health spiralled during her marriage.
“No one believed me when I said my husband was abusive,” she said. The pair got married after three months of dating and broke up nine months later.
At her lowest point, Pebetsi said she thought about ending her life and taking her children with her. “I felt like I had nothing to live for,” she said. “I told my therapist I was scared of myself.”
Pictured above: Pebetsi Matlaila.
Image source: @pebetsimatlaila
