Model-search mired in controversy

MAUREEN ODUBENG
Staff Writer | Friday February 1, 2008 00:00

At a Press conference held at their premises, Fashion Lounge Botswana recently announced that they are taking over BIME and will be running the show from now onwards. But 'project pioneer' Collins Nawala has been incensed by all this, accusing Fashion Lounge Botswana and Orange Botswana of 'stealing' his concept and kicking him out.

Nawala narrated to Showbiz the history of the project and how his idea was conceptualised into what it became in 2007. Nawala said he started working on the project in 2003 at the time going by the name Gemstones. He later reformatted the project and re-named it 101 Beauties. The project was once again reformatted to Picture Perfect, which he then renamed Star Warz - the final name which was only changed at the request of BIME sponsors (Orange Botswana) who had previously sponsored an event with a similar name.

'Ever since I graduated from the university in Australia and returned home, my mission has always been to become one of the first producers and event organisers to stage big international events in our country.

'Being a part-time photographer and working closely with aspiring models, I realised that despite an abundance of talent in the country, there were few opportunities available in the industry for aspiring models, and chances of international exposure were almost non-existent,' he further explained.

Nawala stated that he decided to quit his corporate career and embarked on a mission to stage the first ever international model-search with the intention of being the first to offer local models an opportunity of a life time and make the dreams of thousands of aspiring models in the country come true.

'In order for the model-search to be big, I contacted a number of major international modelling agencies to join me in my efforts to offer opportunities to young African models. In this regard I was fortunate enough to receive a positive response from one of the top 10 leading international modelling agencies based in New York called Trump Model Management.'

Nawala accuses Fashion Lounge and Orange Botswana of having had intentions of hijacking his concept, saying he was too busy to realise.

'I was too busy focusing on staging the event that I was oblivious to what was going on. By the time I realised that I had been cornered, we were already two weeks from staging the event. The venue sponsor (Dan Moskovic) was now calling the shots and fighting with me over the event, using his money and power in the community to convince people that he was the brains behind the event, that the project was his and he was responsible for bringing the international agency to Botswana,' Nawala said.

Nawala further contends that he is the one who initiated contact with TMM, saying had it not been for him, Fashion Lounge Botswana and Orange Botswana would 'never have succeeded in attracting such a reputable agency'.

But Fashion Lounge Botswana Managing Director does not agree and dismisses Nawala's accusations. Moskovic told Showbiz that indeed Nawala approached him early last year for sponsorship regarding a reality TV show, but at the time Nawala presented his idea through a company called Marnox Media, which he was a part of at the time. He explained that at no point was Nawala ever mentioned as an individual in any of the negotiations, stressing that all the correspondence was through the company (Marnox Media), and the agreement, to his knowledge, was between Marnox Media and Fashion Lounge Botswana - not Nawala.

'I would never have involved myself with the project had he come to me as an individual, I agreed to get involved because I knew Marnox Media as a reputable company both in Botswana and South Africa,' he said.

He further explained that he put forward to Nawala, who was then representing Marnox Media, that he could only get on board if he was made a partner, and that according to Moskovic was agreed upon. He said both parties agreed that they should change the event from a reality TV show to a model-search, involving an international modelling agency. Moskovic also produced documents proving not only that Nawala throughout was operating as a representative of Marnox Media but also that he had consented to partnering with Moskovic. He explained that it was indeed true that Nawala established first contact with TMM, but explained that he was the one who had a meeting with TMM in New York. He showed Showbiz an email from Nawala to TMM, which introduced him as one of the major sponsors and partners.

'One of my major sponsors and partners on the project, Dan Moskovic, is currently visiting in New York and he would like to request a meeting with you any time between March 16 and March 21,' the email from Nawala to TMM states.

Contrary to Nawala's charges that Moskovic started fighting with him over the show and wanting to call shots, Moskovic said four weeks prior to the event, it came to his attention that nothing had been done with regard to preparing for the event. He further explained that he asked one of his managers to concentrate on organising the show, since time was running out. He said that Nawala had neglected organising the show and chose to show up only on events days and start dictating. He said naturally they got into arguments over that. He further told showbiz that on the day of the final Nawala only showed up early and started 'dictating to everyone on what to do and not to do'. He explained that Fashion Lounge for this show partnered with Marnox Media and since the company wrote to them announcing their intention to pull out, it meant Fashion Lounge Botswana is now in it alone.

The letter from Marnox Media, dated January 14, 2008 to Fashion Lounge denounced its involvement with BIME.

'After the BIME event last year in September, I made a decision that Marnox Media would no longer be involved with this project. I informed Duane Gazi from Trump Model Management of my decision the day after the event. Collin Nawala and I parted ways in October 2007 and Marnox Media Botswana is no longer trading in Botswana,' the letter stated.

Since the agreements were between Fashion Lounge Botswana and Marnox Media, Moskovic from this letter said he decided to go it alone.

Nawala however insists that the fact that he is no-longer with Marnox Media does not mean he loses his rights to what he terms as his 'brain child', and has vowed to take the matter to court to protect his rights to BIME.

Meanwhile, Moskovic informed Showbiz that arrangements have been made and the winner of BIME Tebatso Tshuma should be in New York in the second week of March. He also said he is going ahead with the event for this year and welcomes Nawala's intention to seek court redress. He said he never wanted to fight Nawala in the media as that takes away the limelight from the winner.

Moskovic said he is 80 percent confident that Tshuma is going to make it big in New York.

Orange Botswana public relations manager Karabo Tlhabiwe also dismissed Nawala's allegations as unfounded. He stated that Orange is only involved with BIME as a sponsor, adding that their position has not changed. He said at no point has Orange Botswana been involved in the rights issue of the event. He added that Orange Botswana has fulfilled its obligations as the winner is expected to be in New York by the second week of next month (March).