[ad_1]
By Entertainment Reporter 
6h ago
Media personality Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung has been charged with theft of intellectual property for her hit show “Dinner at Somizi’s.”
Evidence has emerged on social media to show that the idea of ”Dining at Somizi” was not Mhlongo-Motaung’s original idea, but Hastings Moeng’s.
This comes after former 702 radio host Eusebius Mckaiser shared emails from Moeng, who alleges that the “Idols SA” judge stole the cooking show idea he presented to Mhlongo-Motaung in 2014.
According to Mckaiser’s Twitter post, an email was sent to Mhlongo-Motaung and his partner, Themba Zuma, in July 2014 proposing a weekly entertainment and lifestyle TV show titled “Dinner kwa Somizi”, in which Somgaga cooked with local stars while talking to them about interesting topics.
“On July 28, 2014, Hastings Moeng proposed #DinnerAtSomizis to Somizi & Themba. The description of the program is materially similar to the one now on display (to Mr. Moeng’s surprise). See the 2014 email below and decide for yourself, ”McKaiser tweeted.
On July 28, 2014, Hastings Moeng proposed #DinnerAtSomizis to Somizi and Themba. The description of the program is materially similar to the one now on display (to Mr. Moeng’s surprise). Check out the 2014 email below and decide for yourself. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/QVcpJIAY8o
– Eusebius McKaiser (@Eusebius) September 15, 2020
In his proposal to Mhlongo-Motaung and Zuma, Moeng stated that he had had the idea for the show since 2010 and hoped that the duo would help bring the show to life.
Please take this as an expression of interest to partner with you on the idea. I hadn’t done a show before, although I’m sure we have a database of the right people among us to bring this to life, ”Moeng wrote.
He added: “Dinner kwa Somizi” is a weekly entertainment and lifestyle talk show in which South African artist Somizi Mhlongo chats with other artists over dinner.
“Each episode captures the drama of preparing each meal as Somizi and her guest sweat in the kitchen before sitting down (sic).”
“Guests will be an eclectic mix of idols and icons, new kids and kids not so new to SA showbiz,” the email read.
Some of the proposed guests included rapper AKA, television host Minnie Dlamini-Jones, soccer star Itumeleng Khune, veteran actress Lillian Dube, and radio personality Dineo Ranaka.
McKaiser published the pitch made by “Dinner at Somizi” executive producer Legend Manqele in 2016.
“On September 2, 2016, Hastings Moeng wrote Legend (current producer) with a synopsis for #DinnerAtSomizis. You can see the treatment synopsis below. And judge for yourself, ”McKaiser wrote.
On September 2, 2016, Hastings Moeng wrote to Legend (the current producer) with a synopsis of #DinnerAtSomizis . You can see the synopsis of the treatment below. And judge for yourself.
Why is IP theft so common in entertainment? Multichoice is being shy despite being shown this. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/A8Nwnu7Haa
– Eusebius McKaiser (@Eusebius) September 15, 2020
IOL Entertainment has reached out to Mzansi Magic and Mhlongo-Motaung for comment on the allegations, and they are awaiting a response.
Twitter caught fire with users responding to the accusation made against Mhlongo-Motaung. See below some of the Twitter reactions:
It’s funny, today I saw two episodes for the first time. Somizi talking about how blessed he is. Kanti, her blessing is to steal her idea from another 💔 yoh! https://t.co/maXKHsmBNs
– Kangaroo Security Guard (@writeforlovetoo) September 15, 2020
Somizi killing in this cooking show kanti stole the idea, how come he sleeps at night? pic.twitter.com/jMrPzTJ4Aw
– Surprise Golela🇿🇦❤️🏳️🌈 (@Surprise_Golela) September 15, 2020
So let me clarify this, in 2014 Hasting Moeng presented the idea for “Dinner Kwa Somizi” to Somizi with all the elements explaining how the program and potential sponsors would work. Years later did Somizi steal that idea without including the person who pitched it to him? That is wicked.
– MPHO 🌻 (@MphoMoalamedi) September 15, 2020
[ad_2]
