JOHANNESBURG – The behind-the-scenes drama surrounding Somizi Mhlongo's hit cooking show "Dinner at Somizi's" has taken a shocking turn, as Sunday World reports a trove of explosive revelations that shed light on the media personality's tumultuous personal life.
According to our sources, Somizi's former production company, Barleader TV, had proposed a co-hosting arrangement for the show, pairing Somizi with his then-spouse, Mohale Motaung. The proposed title, "Straight From My Kitchen," would have featured the high-profile couple engaging in "candid conversations with family and friends about the most important and provocative topics of the day, all while they make a lovely meal."
However, Somizi rejected the idea, ultimately hosting the show alone under the title "Dinner at Somizi's." This decision has now landed him in legal trouble, with producer Hastings Moeng claiming Somizi stole the idea from him after he made a similar proposal to the media personality.
In a surprising turn of events, media personality Somizi Mhlongo has revealed that he rejected a proposal from his former production company, Barleader TV, to co-host his popular cooking show with his former spouse Mohale Motaung. The proposal, which was submitted to Multichoice in 2020, suggested the title "Straight From My Kitchen" and envisioned a hybrid cooking show where Somizi and Mohale would share their home, engage in candid conversations, and prepare delicious meals together.
However, the show, which eventually aired as Dinner at Somizi's, featured Mhlongo as the sole host, excluding Motaung from the project. Producer Hastings Moeng has taken Mhlongo to court, alleging that he stole the idea for the program after Moeng made a proposal to Mhlongo. The legal battle adds another layer of complexity to an already tumultuous relationship.
The proposal described "Straight From My Kitchen" as an unscripted and candid show where Somizi and Mohale would experiment with their favorite recipes while engaging in insightful and entertaining conversations via video chat with their viewers. Mhlongo even suggested that his personal friends, including former president Jacob Zuma, Minister of Police Bheki Cele, and actress Lillian Dube, be entertained and join him on the show to experience his culinary exploits.
During the email correspondences between Mhlongo and the Multichoice team, the name of the show was changed to Dinner at Somizi's for brevity, a decision agreed upon by Mhlongo. As a result, the show proceeded without Mohale's involvement, marking a significant deviation from the original proposal.
The revelations surrounding the co-hosting proposal come amidst a series of controversies and allegations surrounding Mhlongo and Motaung's relationship. The couple, who had a traditional wedding in 2019, has faced numerous challenges and publicized conflicts throughout their union.
Motaung accused Mhlongo of violent behavior early on in their relationship, claiming that Mhlongo once threatened them both with a kitchen knife just three weeks into dating. Additionally, Motaung alleged that Mhlongo broke their ribs and nearly knocked out their teeth during a jealousy-fueled domestic dispute in their Johannesburg home in 2020.
Further accusations emerged, with Motaung claiming that Mhlongo, who allegedly has an affinity for group sex, proposed a steamy threesome with a stranger while they were in Amsterdam at one point. These revelations shed light on the turbulent nature of their relationship, and Motaung's accounts provide a glimpse into the alleged instances of violence and discord between the couple.
Motaung also recounted a specific incident during the Idols finale after-party in November 2018, where Mhlongo, driving his Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, allegedly tried to force Motaung off the road, resulting in a collision with Motaung's Audi. The altercation ensued after Motaung became irritated while observing Mhlongo engaged in a conversation with a former lover for an extended period. Confronting Mhlongo about the interaction led to further conflict, with Mhlongo accusing Motaung of infidelity.
Motaung admitted feeling fear and apprehension towards Mhlongo, stating, "So, by the time we got married, I was very scared of this person." These revelations provide additional context to the dynamics of their relationship and the challenges they faced throughout their journey together.
As the legal battle unfolds and the public becomes aware of the controversies surrounding their relationship, both Mhlongo and Motaung find themselves in the spotlight. The revelations offer a deeper understanding of the complexities and struggles that existed beneath the surface of their public personas.
