Eastern Cape businessman Mabjessie Tyekana accuses Somizi of snubbing his event after receiving payment. Tyekana had high hopes for his star-studded birthday celebration, scheduled for March 1 and 2 at the Absa Stadium in East London.
The event was set to feature a lineup of renowned artists, including Big Zulu, Rethabile Khumalo, DJ Tira, Khuzani, Ntencane, and media personality Somizi Mhlongo. Tyekana envisioned a memorable celebration, but things took an unexpected turn.
“I used to respect Somizi, but now I don’t like him for what he did. He is disrespectful. It’s time to respect local artists.”
He also praised Moshe Ndiki, another artist who attended the event, for his professionalism.
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Eastern Businessman Tyekana’s Accusations About Somizi
Tyekana accused Somizi of taking advantage of people from the Eastern Cape by failing to show up at the event. He vowed not to remain silent when artists from outside the region disrespect local organizers. In a heated statement, Tyekana warned,
“If I meet Somizi, even at a supermarket, I will demand my money back. I’m not giving up on my money.”
Somizi’s Response To Businessman accusations
Somizi did not remain silent in the face of these accusations. He admitted that Tyekana had paid him for the gig and covered his travel expenses. However, he claimed that the event was poorly organized and unprofessional. Somizi recounted his experience, stating,
“I had to wait 20 minutes at the airport before taking an Uber to the hotel. Upon arrival, I discovered that the accommodation wasn’t paid for, and I had to cover the costs myself.”
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He further criticized the event’s setup, describing the stage as “looking like a table” and expressing disappointment with the crowd’s reaction. Somizi claimed that all the artists at the event were dissatisfied, calling it “the most disorganized event I’ve ever attended.” He concluded by stating that he only introduced one artist before leaving the venue.