Sol Phenduka's dark truth about gambling addiction: 'It ruined my life'

Radio personality and podcaster, Sol Phenduka, got candid about his gambling addiction on social media.

Phenduka replied to a tweet from a social media user who asked him: “Ek se, Sol, do you gamble as well?”

He replied, “I used to gamble. It ruined my life and held me back a few years.”

After admitting that his gambling addiction ruined his life, he added that he does not involve himself in it anymore and advised people to gamble responsibly.

“I no longer gamble. If you do, PLEASE GAMBLE responsibly,” he added.

Phenduka’s story probably resonates with many people who are also currently facing the struggle.

A lot of people come online and share how bad their gambling addiction was or still is, resulting in them losing their cars, houses, jobs and families.

It has been revealed that in a GeoPoll study from April 2025, 83% of South African respondents had placed a bet, ranking the country first on the continent, according to an article by “IOL”.

Even students in our country are grappling with this addiction that sticks out like a sore thumb, as many of them use their allowances to fund their gambling habits.

According to ActionSA MP Malebo Kobe, statistics revealed that students are using their NSFAS allowances to gamble.

“We are deeply concerned by reports that some students at tertiary education institutions are using their NSFAS allowances to gamble on online betting platforms. 

This is a tragic reflection of how government's failures are driving young South Africans to desperation,” she said in a press release.

Joining in the conversation about this nationwide issue is Pick n Pay CEO Sean Summers, who has raised concerns about the online gambling sector in South Africa.

During an interview with Cape Talk radio, he shared that South Africa should consider banning the marketing and advertising of online gambling.

“If you look at certain countries overseas, like Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy have in fact made a move to totally ban any marketing and advertising of online gambling. It’s a complete scourge.

“This is money that is being hoovered out of the economy in extraordinary amounts,” Summers said.

He further added that people who are addicted to gambling are most people who cannot afford to gamble.

“And the people who are predominantly the victims of this are the ones who can least afford it. It’s down more at the lower end of the market, and it’s just bizarre.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling addiction, contact The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation on its toll-free counselling line, 0800 006 008. You can also WhatsApp/SMS HELP to 076 675 0710 or email: helpline@responsiblegambling.org.za