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Dinner at Somizi’s is the third reality show to star Mhlongo. (Facebook / DSTV)
- On September 15, 2020, journalist Eusebius McKaiser posted an email income between Hastings Moeng and the producers of Somizi Mhlongo’s cooking show.
- Although Moeng is not mentioned in the show’s credits, the receipts allude to the idea of the show being Moeng’s intellectual property.
- Moeng has decided to take legal action.
On July 28, 2014, aspiring TV producer Hastings Moeng sent TV personality Somizi Mhlongo a reality show proposal by email.
In describing the program I would call Dinner for Somizi, Moeng said the following:
Dinner kwa Somizi is a weekly entertainment and lifestyle talk show featuring South African artist Somizi Mhlongo. [chatting] to other artists over dinner. Each 24-minute episode captures the drama that comes with preparing each meal as Somizi and her guest sweat in the kitchen before dinner. [sit] down.
With artists such as Lilian Dube, Itumeleng Kune, Minnie Dhlamini, and Aka as proposed guests, Dinner for Somizi it was set to unfold through 13 episodes that would be filmed in a studio.
An email from Hastings Moeng where he proposed the show ‘Dinner kwa Somizi’ (Twitter)
An email from Hastings Moeng where he proposed the show ‘Dinner kwa Somizi’ (Twitter)
An email from Hastings Moeng where he proposed the show ‘Dinner kwa Somizi’ (Twitter)
After Mhlongo and Moeng agreed that the proposal was commercially viable, Moeng says he met with Legend Manqele in September 2016. Manqele is the founder of TheBar Leader TV: the production company responsible for producing some of the most popular reality shows in the country. . These include Dineo’s Diary, Rich kids, To MamKhize and Being bonang.
While in talks with Manqele, who would produce Dinner for Somizi, Moeng sent the local reality TV porter a detailed synopsis of the show including a proposed execution order, potential sponsors, stage decoration, and guests.
A synopsis by Hastings Moeng detailing his idea for ‘Dinner kwa Somizi’. (Twitter)
A synopsis by Hastings Moeng detailing his idea for ‘Dinner kwa Somizi’. (Twitter)
A synopsis by Hastings Moeng detailing his idea for ‘Dinner kwa Somizi’. (Twitter)
A synopsis by Hastings Moeng detailing his idea for ‘Dinner kwa Somizi’. (Twitter)
Six years later, on July 10, 2020, DSTV’s lifestyle channel 1 Magic premiered. Dinner at Somizi’s, the third reality show that has Mhlongo as the protagonist. Here Somizi gets to meet some of South Africa’s celebrities by cooking and sharing a meal with them in what is presented as their home.
Having aired 11 episodes, Dinner in Somizi’s follow Living the dream with Somizi and her derivative wedding special Somizi and Mohale: The Union. Although Dinner at Somizis It is materially similar, in format and name, to the proposal Moeng sent to Mhlongo six years ago, crediting Mhlongo and Manqele’s company, The BarLeader, as its creators.
Under copyright and trademark law, copyrights are infringed when a third party reproduces or adapts a work without the license or authorization of the copyright owner. And for Moeng’s idea to be protected, it must exist in material form via document or email.
In response to this, Moeng has decided to take legal action. Earlier today, Moeng’s lawyer, Mabu Marweshe, spoke to Sowetan:
I can confirm that we are acting on behalf of Hastings Moeng and that we have sent a demand letter to Multichoice. However, I cannot divulge much … but my client seeks recognition for his idea.
According to Sowetan, the letter asks to see how much Dinner at Somizis is getting Moeng to negotiate his share of the program royalties. Apart from this, Moeng also asked for an apology, for implementing Moeng’s proposal without consent, as well as being recognized in the credits in the future.
Moeng’s claim will not affect the broadcast of the remaining episodes of the show.
Arts24 was unable to reach Manqele at press time.
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