Cape Town comedian Carl Weber has poured his heart out on social media, saying how lockdown ruined him financially, and is asking fans to support him.
An emotional Carl, 44, said he never recovered from the first hard lockdown in 2020 and since then it’s been downhill, with no gigs on the cards.
Carl and his wife Valene both lost their parents last year while they themselves were also struck down with Covid-19.
He says while they’ve been trying to stay positive and putting on a jolly face, they’re between a rock and a hard place financially with no relief in sight.
On Wednesday night, a desperate Carl took to Facebook, posting: “Lockdown and all the levels have finally caught up with me... Sigh. It took a lot for me to post this but as a full-time entertainer I have not got my job back since this pandemic first started.
“Many say never let them see you sweat, but I'm sweating and I’m reaching out now…
“I will be doing my comedy in the form of videos, getting up to my usual antics from stand-up comedy to pranks (mostly on Valene Herold Weber) and possibly even going live.
“So here comes the hard part... Sigh I’m doing this just to make a living, so if you are entertained by this, any donations would be greatly appreciated. It's rough out here for us artists. I will be inboxing my details if anyone wants to make any donation.”
Carl tells the Daily Voice: “Our savings could only last that long and with the entertainment industry basically being on level 5 since the start of lockdown, there was no artist funding for us although they said there were.
“Creditors are relentless and want their money. Financially we all are struggling but to say we’re all in the same boat is wrong.
“Most of us are white river rafting down waterfalls in a dinghy while others are sitting on a calm sea on the deck of their yacht ... same ocean, not the same boat.”
He adds: “I am eternally grateful for every single donation and person who supported me. Everyone said it’s not much but it’s something. To which I replied it’s not about the amount but the humanity.”
Follow Carl on Facebook and inbox him if you would like to assist.
venecia.america@inl.co.za