Public outrage erupts after financial influencer calls employee “greedy” for wanting cash payment to keep her government grant.
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| Zibu Masotobe’s Threads post that sparked backlash, where she criticised an employee for wanting cash pay to keep the R350 grant. |
South African entrepreneur and finance influencer Zibu Masotobe, better known online as Babes We Finance, is facing widespread criticism after a Threads post in which she mocked an employee for asking to be paid in cash. The worker allegedly requested this to avoid having her income officially recorded, allowing her to continue receiving the R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant.
Masotobe’s post referred to the employee as “greedy,” a description that has not sat well with her followers. Many argued that, rather than shaming someone trying to make ends meet, she should be addressing the fact that she’s paying R4,500 per month an amount below South Africa’s minimum wage for full-time work.
Why the Post Struck a Nerve
For many South Africans, the story reflects the country’s broader economic struggles where the SRD grant is often a lifeline for those facing high living costs, unemployment, and low wages.
Social media reactions were swift:
“Wow! You really don’t value staff. Paying below minimum wage and then calling them greedy? That’s rich.”
“This is out of touch with the reality most South Africans face.”
“Report her company. This is exploitation.”
Minimum Wage and the R350 Grant
South Africa’s 2024 national minimum wage is R27.58 per hour, which is roughly R4,780 per month for a standard 40-hour work week. Masotobe’s R4,500 offer falls short of that threshold.
The R350 SRD grant, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, is intended to support unemployed South Africans. If recipients officially earn above a certain income level, they lose eligibility. Critics argue that Masotobe’s public shaming of her employee ignores the economic realities that force people to seek both wages and grants just to survive.
A Pattern of Controversial Posts
Several followers noted that this is not the first time Masotobe has posted what they consider “tasteless” or “tone-deaf” content about workers and poverty. Past Facebook and Instagram comments have drawn similar backlash, leading some to question whether she understands or respects the daily struggles of lower-income South Africans.
A Wider Pattern: Underpayment in Middle-Class Households
For many South Africans, this incident was not just about one employer. Critics say it reflects a wider and ongoing habit among some middle-class households and small business owners: paying domestic workers, gardeners, and helpers below the legal minimum wage.
Despite the National Minimum Wage Act applying to all sectors, including domestic work, reports and personal testimonies show that underpayment remains common particularly when workers are informally employed and reluctant to report for fear of losing their jobs.
In this light, Zibu Masotobe’s post was seen as part of a familiar pattern where middle-class employers justify low pay while criticising the survival strategies of those earning it. The public anger, therefore, is as much about systemic inequality and labour exploitation as it is about Masotobe’s individual comments.
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