Up-and-coming musician Joliza who won R500 000 in Ushuni Womhlaba.
A MUSIC competition show, uShuni Womhlaba, struggles to distribute winners’ prize money.
A few weeks ago, when the Soul Brothers co-founder Black Moses Ngwenya complained to Daily Sun that he hadn’t been paid for his role as a guest judge, the show quickly paid him.
However, it allegedly still owes other winners.
Now, frustrated winners Joliza BhacaSoul, Lindo, and Gudazi have escalated the matter to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), which aired the show from July to October 2024.
Daily Sun also learnt that the production team hasn’t been fully paid, and the show’s spokesman, Lindo Mnisi, has also not received payment.
The show was aired on SABC1, where Joliza BhacaSoul won the competition, and took home R500 000. Lindo achieved the runner-up position with R300 000, while Gudazi, another runner-up, received R200 000.
According to sources, Thabo Mphelo Films is struggling to clear outstanding payments, prompting winners to email the public broadcaster directly, seeking intervention.
Daily Sun has obtained a copy of the email.
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When contacted, winners Joliza, Lindo, and Gudazi preferred a conference call due to their shared predicament. During the call, they confirmed having emailed the SABC for intervention regarding non-payment.
They requested not to disclose the exact amount owed or provide further details.
According to their payment agreement with Thabo Mphelo Films, Joliza was to receive R150 000 on 30 November 2024, R175 000 on 31 December 2024, and another R175 000 on 31 January 2025. Lindo Mthimunye was due receive R100 000 on 30 November 2024 and 31 December 2024.
Meanwhile, Mthobisi “Gudazi” Gudazi was meant to get R50 000 on 30 November, R75 000 on 31 December, and R75 000 on 31 January.
There have been no payments since December.
Thabo Mphelo confirmed that the winners’ remaining payments are pending.
In an email to Lindo on 2 February, Thabo apologised for the delay.
“I’ll be honest with you I’ve never faced this situation on this show. It’s difficult and frustrating. I understand everyone’s frustration and feel your pain.
“When we started, we managed to secure two partners to fund us and based on our budget we needed more sponsorship and there were two others who showed interest and we started pre-production in March 2024 and after the May general elections the other two potential partners backed out,” he said.
Thabo explained that even after re-adjusting the budget, expenses exceeded their funds.
He’s been seeking funds to fulfil the winners’ final payments, promising resolution by this or next week.
“We’re left with one last payment each. Initially, funds were expected at the end of December, on 17 January, and finally, the last week of January, but none materialised,” Thabo said.
Telkom, a major sponsor with R8 million, alongside the SABC with R4 million, raised awareness of payment issues.
“We’re committed to fair partnerships. We hope for a swift resolution and advocate integrity and fairness for all parties,” Telkom’s Lindiwe Mncube said.
SABC head of communications Mmoni Ngubane told Daily Sun that they’re aware of payment challenges.
“The SABC can confirm that it was a broadcast partner for the programme uShuni Womhlaba, which was licensed though the production house.
“The SABC has been made aware of the challenges faced by the production house in paying the winners, and the SABC has been advised by the production house that they are working on resolving the matter with the winners,” she said.
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