Somizi skips event, clashes with organizer over payment
What was supposed to be a star-studded birthday celebration for Eastern Cape businessman Mabjessie Tyekana turned into a heated dispute after Somizi Mhlongo allegedly ditched the event.
Tyekana had planned an extravagant two-day celebration at Absa Stadium in East London on March 1 and 2, with a lineup featuring Big Zulu, Rethabile Khumalo, DJ Tira, Khuzani, Ntencane, and Somizi as the MC.
However, the businessman was left fuming after Somizi failed to perform as expected, instead choosing to attend another event in the city.
Expressing his frustration in a Facebook Live video, Tyekana accused Somizi of disrespecting Eastern Cape event organizers.
“I used to respect Somizi. But now I don’t like him for what he did. Uyadelela uSomizi (he is disrespectful). Now it’s time to support our local artists,” he said.
He further claimed that flights and accommodation had been booked for the media personality, yet Somizi opted to promote and attend a different event.
“Me and Somizi should not meet, even at a supermarket, because I want my money,” he added, insisting he would not back down.
In response, Somizi admitted to being paid for the event but labeled the entire experience as chaotic and poorly organized.
“First, I had to wait for them to pick me up from the airport. After 20 minutes, I took an Uber to the hotel with my managers. When we checked in, we realised that our accommodation was not paid for; we were handed speed points to pay for the hotel,” Somizi stated.
The media personality also criticized the event’s setup, saying it did not meet professional standards.
“That stage looked like a table, and even the crowd was not impressed. All the artists at the event were unhappy. It was the most disorganised event I’ve been to. I went on stage, introduced one artist, and left. That event was a flop,” he added.
