Embattled long jumper Luvo Manyonga has opened up about how he blew his R84m fortune.
The “I Blew It” series always presents shocking stories of how some of the most successful people in the country blew their fortunes and lost their fame. This time, athlete and Olympic Long Jump silver medalist Luvo Manyonga, has opened up about how his addiction to crystal meth and crazy lifestyle cost him everything.
He had endorsement deals with Nike in 2017 and 2018, and sat on a R84 million fortune. Unfortunately, his downfall began due to his addiction to crystal meth.
“They suspended me for 18 months. After the ban I continued using drugs and things started going South. I was smoking, robbing people until 2015.”
“The country gave me R250 000 and in 2017 I got a big deal from Nike for R42 million… In 2018 also, plus minus the same amount,”
He says he spent his money on expensive cars, women and drugs.
“The cars I rented cost R20 000 per day. On top of that I’d pay R100 000 for insurance because I’d return them wrecked the next day.”
“I would hide my drugs between the car seats and struggle to get them out and tear the seat… in three days I’d burst the car tyres.”
He continued, “I bought the German Coupe for roughly R900 000… Also, I’d be renting presidential hotels.”
His best friend and uncle, Sphelele Kwaza revealed they spent close to R400 000 on accommodation at a hotel for a month where they partied and had fun. His sister, Vuyiseka Manyonga, also revealed that he had his own personal drug dealer.
“We were daredevils. We were called the Illuminati. They called him Lucifer. I was Hellboy. We were the Illuminati in Gqeberha… We would blow R300 000 in two days on drugs.”
