Dinners at Somizi's is a South African cooking and lifestyle chat show hosted by Somizi Mhlongo. It debuted on 10 July 2020 on 1Magic (DStv Channel 103).
Premise On the show, Somizi invites prominent media figures, musicians, and personalities into home to prepare meals, mix drinks, and engage in candid conversations about their lives, careers, and the South African entertainment industry.
Production Attribute Details Host Somizi Mhlongo (with minor appearances by Mohale Motaung) Production House The BarLeader Group (BarLeader TV) Lead Producer / Executive Legend Manqele (Nkululeko "Legend" Manqele) Original Network 1Magic (DStv Channel 103) & Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161), streaming on Showmax Premiered 10 July 2020 Stopped Airing October, 2020 (Season 1 ended); Season 2 put on hold in early 2021
Feature guests Season 1 featured high-profile South African public figures and celebrities:
Rami Chuene Siya Kolisi Zahara Cassper Nyovest DJ Zinhle and Pearl Thusi Dr. Rebecca Malope Vusi Nova and Ringo Madlingozi Jub Jub Pearl Modiadie Minnie Dlamini Moshe Ndiki
Controversies Intellectual property In September 2020, political commentator and author Eusebius McKaiser made public email records showing that aspiring producer Hastings Moeng had pitched the exact concept under the title "Dinner Kwa Somizi" back in July 2014. The emails sent by Moeng to Somizi in 2014, and later to Legeng Manqele in September 2016, detailed the concept of a show where Somizi cooked alongside celebrity guests while interviewing them. Somizi denied opening the emails.
Moeng send legal letters of demand and issued a high court summons against Somizi, BarLeader TV and MultiChoice, demaning public recognistion as the show's creator, an apology and financial compensation in a form of royalties.
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