Ngema, 68, died in a head-on collision in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, on the evening of December 27 last year.
Zaska Entertainment, co-owned by the late Mbongeni Ngema, has accused the SABC of stealing a TV show idea it originally proposed to the national broadcaster.
The idea of Zaska Entertainment is, Zaska Traditional Music Talent Search Mbongeni Ngema.
The reality show aims to unearth the best talent in three Mzansi music genres – Makandi, Skatamiya and Mbaqanga.
But last weekend, auditions for a new SABC TV show were held in KwaMaimayi, Johannesburg. Ushni WonflavaIt's eerily similar to a Zaska Entertainment show proposed to the SABC just a few months ago.
“We are currently engaging legal counsel to consider whether to seek a license,” Moipone Kaori said. Citizen.
Kaori is one of the producers of the Zaska TV show along with Ngema, Mark Ross, Sam Nkokazi and Charles Khoza.
Ngema, 68, died in a head-on collision in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, on the evening of December 27 last year.
“Mbogeni was very excited about the show. He was passionate about the idea and was thrilled when the SABC invited us to present,” Kaori asserted.
Zaska Traditional Music Talent Search Mbongeni NgemaThe pilot episode was hosted by child actor Siphiwe Mtshalli.
Zaskua Entertainment claims it spent R290 000 on developing, filming and marketing the pilot for the show, which held auditions at The Bat Centre in Durban in April last year.
@letsatsing #Zasuka#mbongeningema#phuzekhemisi #talentsearch#traditionalmusic #mbaqanga#iscathamiya#maskandi #durban #southafrica #batcentre ♬ Original Sound – Mark Roth
Also read: Sarafina! creator Mbongeni Ngema dies in car accident in Eastern Cape
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Last December, the state broadcaster approached Zaska Entertainment to make a presentation.
“We are thrilled to inform you that your proposal, 'Zasuka', has been selected for a pitching session on SABC 1 on 19 December 2023,” the invitation read. Citizen I have the document approved by our Head of Content, Lara Tuk.
In February this year, SABC's interim head of video, entertainment and content, Tshilidzi Davhana, wrote to Zasuka Entertainment informing them that the show would not be picked up.
Among the reasons given to the company for its failure were that Zaska's programming lacked structure and scale, and there was no clear creative direction.
The broadcaster also said its financial plan required further clarification and there was no clear indication from the SABC about funding requirements or additional funders.
@zasuka_bymbongeningema #taditional #maskandi #mbaqanga #scathamiya #talentsearch #batcentre ♬ Original Sound – ZASUKA BY Mbongeni Ngema
The SABC was also concerned that Zaska's production team was very inexperienced with the intended format and that a show of this magnitude would require partnering with an experienced producer.
The regret letter was accompanied by recommendations for applicants if they wished to apply again.
“The concept needs to be further developed, including a clear creative treatment, a detailed series outline and a breakdown of episodes as per differentiated stages of the reality show (e.g. auditions, boot camp/elimination round, live final stage etc.). Once sufficiently developed, the production company may resubmit it.”
Zaska's 20-page proposal outlined the show's structure, judges, prize money and a plot for each of the first season's 13 episodes.
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Ushni Wonflava
Hundreds of contestants gathered in KwaMaimayi, Johannesburg last weekend for the first regional auditions for the SABC's newly launched music competition show. Ushni Wonflava.
“Ushni Wonflava “This is a first for the music competition world. We've never seen a show like this before and the calibre of musicians who turned up to audition is evident,” Thabo Mphelo, executive producer of uShuni Womhlaba and founder of Thabo Mphelo Films, said in a statement.
Citizen We sent questions to the SABC, which has promised to respond but has not done so. The same goes for Thabo Mphelo Films, which is yet to respond to our questions.
Kaori suspects the SABC may have conspired with Thabo Mphelo Films: “Judging by what has happened so far, it appears they started this scheme after Mbongeni died around January.”
Thabo Mphelo Films works in partnership with the SABC and produces television programmes such as: Jika Magica, Zajiwa, Daily Tesa and 1 microphone For channels.
One of the judges for uShuni Womhlaba is Maskandi legend, Phuzekhemisi. This musical artist was one of the judges for the pilot edition. Zaska Traditional Music Talent Search Mbongeni Ngema.
@letsatsing #zasuka#mbongeningema #phuzekhemisi #shobalembuzihlope #batcentre #durban #southafrica #traditionalmusic #maskandi #mbaqanga🇿🇦🇿🇦 #iscathamiya ♬ Original Sound – Mark Roth
“Everyone was doing that. [the pilot] Because they believed in the idea of the show. I spoke to him. [Phuzekhemisi] “He said last week that he had been approached by some people to take part in uShuni. I can't blame him, musicians are suffering,” Ross said.The judges on the Zaska show included Pzekemisi as well as Ngema and Shoba Lengoma.
The other judges on uShuni Womhlaba are Big Zulu, Sho Madjozi, Msaki, Phuzekhemisi and Lucky Nkosi, while the show is hosted by Mpumi “Msakazi” Mlambo and Mandla “Njinji Wami” Magwaza.
The show is set to premiere on SABC 1 on July 7, with auditions set to take place this weekend at the Walter Sisulu University/Lusikisiki Health Resource Centre.
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