Nǃxau, a member of the ǃKung people and star of the iconic film “The Gods Must Be Crazy,” was initially paid only $300 for his role in the first part of the movie, despite it grossing $200 million globally.
The actor, who had little experience beyond his home before his appearance in the film, later negotiated a significant increase in his pay to $500,000 for the sequel.
Early Life and Culture
Nǃxau was fluent in Juǀʼhoan, Otjiherero, and Tswana, and he spoke some Afrikaans. His exact age was unknown, and he had only seen three white people before being cast in the film.
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When director Jamie Uys gave him his first cash payment of $300, he allegedly let it blow away in the wind because he did not understand its value.
This incident occurred despite money being a serious matter for other San people, many of whom depended on purchased food and government aid or had enlisted in the South African Army for its high wages.
Career and Financial Management
Although Nǃxau came from a culture that did not value material possessions, he used some of his income to build a brick house with running water and electricity for his family. He also bought a used car and hired a chauffeur, as he had no desire to learn to drive.
In addition to “The Gods Must Be Crazy,” Nǃxau starred in several sequels, including “The Gods Must Be Crazy II,” “Crazy Safari,” “Crazy Hong Kong,” and “The Gods Must Be Funny in China.”
After his film career ended, he returned to Namibia, where he farmed maize, pumpkins, and beans, and kept several head of cattle.
Personal Life, Legacy, and His Death
Nǃxau converted to Christianity and was baptized as a Seventh-day Adventist in July 2000.
He was found dead in late June 2003 near his home in Namibia after going out to collect wood and hunt guineafowl.
He died from multiple-drug-resistant tuberculosis at approximately 58 or 59 years old and was buried in a semi-traditional ceremony at Tsumkwe, next to the grave of his second wife, and he had six surviving children.
Nǃxau’s story highlights the significant disparity and challenges faced by actors from underrepresented backgrounds in the film industry.
