This past weekend, Somizi Mhlanga spoke about the deal for the first time ever. Popularly known as Somgaga, the ever-energetic socialite was one of the MCs on Friday at the Major Lit Sessions festival held at the Stanbic Molapo Piazza. In a brief interview with Showtime, Somizi denied receiving the lump sum for his choreography services.
“I was not paid that much, but for obvious reasons I cannot say exactly how much I was paid but it was way below that,” he said. It was reported that Red Pepper PR and Consultancy contracted Somizi for the choreography services at a budget of P500,000. Red pepper PR and Consultancy were awarded the P14 million tender by the BOT50 committee. After the revelation that Somizi was engaged, coupled with public outrage, BOT50 coordinator Charity Kgotlafela explained that BOT50 had no control over who the company engages and on what grounds. The South African Idols judge however told Showtime how excited he was about once again working with Batswana for the independence holidays. Somizi was in 2014 contracted yet again for the Africa Youth Games held in Gaborone.
