In June, The Citizen reported that Ushni Womlaba was accused of stealing the idea of Zaska Entertainment, a TV show produced by Mbongeni Ngema.
Gkebela Primary School bus driver wins first season of controversial music show Ushni Womlaba A summons to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) looms.
“The subpoena should be ready by Friday. This is a big case and we want to teach the SABC a lesson,” Mark Ross said. The Citizen in front Ushni WomlabaThe final episode.
In June this year, the publication reported that Ushni Womhlava was accused of stealing the idea for a TV show titled Zaska Entertainment's next. Zaska Traditional Music Talent Search by Mbongeni Ngema.
Ross, Mbongeni Ngema's former manager, is one of the creators of the Zasca TV show, along with Ngema, Moipone Kaori, Sam Nkokazi and Charles Khoza.
The reality show is premised on finding the best talent in Mzansi's three musical genres: Maskandi, Sukatamiya and Mbaqanga.
recently finished Ushni Womlaba ' is eerily similar to the Zasca Entertainment show that was pitched to the SABC a few months ago.
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Ngema's dreams are shattered
Ngema, 68, died in a head-on collision in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape province on the night of December 27 last year.
“Mbogeni is very excited about this show, he is passionate about this idea and he was excited when the SABC invited us to pitch,” Kaori asserted.
Zaska Traditional Music Talent Search by Mbongeni Ngema' pilot episode was hosted by child star Siphiwe Mshali.
Zaskua Entertainment claims it spent R290,000 developing, filming and marketing the show's pilot episode. The show hosted auditions at The Bat Center in Durban in April last year.
Last December, the public broadcaster invited Zasca Entertainment to pitch.
“I am very happy to share your proposal with you.” Zasca “You have been selected for a pitching session on SABC 1 to be held on December 19, 2023,” reads the invitation signed by Lara Tuku, Head of Content, owned by The Citizen.
In February this year, SABC's acting head of video entertainment content, Tsilizi Davana, informed Zaska Entertainment in a letter that the show would not be picked up.
The company cited a lack of structure and scale in Zaska's programming format, as well as a lack of clear creative direction, as reasons for the unsuccessful pitch.
The broadcaster also said funding plans needed further clarity. There was no indication of a request for funding from the SABC or clarity on additional funders.
The SABC was also concerned that Zaska's production team was very inexperienced with the intended format and that a show of this scale would need to partner with an experienced producer.
The letter expressing regret also included a recommendation if the proposal should be resubmitted.
“The concept requires further development with a detailed series synopsis and episode breakdown with clear creative treatment for each differentiated phase of reality delivery, including auditions, boot camp/elimination rounds, and live finale stages.” Once it is sufficiently developed, the production company can re-develop it. “
Zaska's 20-page proposal details how the show will be run, the judges, the prize money, and what will happen in each of the first season's 13 episodes.
Neither the SABC nor the show's production company Thabo Mphelo Films responded. The Citizen's question.
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Musou bound bus driver
Thandikaya Magaiyana, popularly known as Joriza Bakasoul, was announced as the winner. u Shuni WomlabaIn its first season, it won a grand prize of 500,000.
“I am so grateful for this opportunity to share my music with South Africa. I will continue to respect our musical heritage and make my mark as an artist,” the reality show winner asserted. did.
“This may be the end of my career as a school bus driver and the beginning of my journey as a professional musician.”
Second place went to Lindo Jay Music (Lindokule Mtimunye), who won R300,000.
Third place went to Gudazi (Mtubisi Gudazi), whose energetic and innovative performance brought a unique flair to the competition. He won R200,000.
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