Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Gogo Maweni said Romeo Malepe was trying to bring attention to himself using her name as the ideas were not the same.
“He does picnics, I'm doing a festival, those are two different things. I'm not going to close the street down and serve people Kota [bunny chow] and invite abongoma [sangomas].
“We are looking at music, arts, crafts ... we've got artists, that's something he doesn't do, he needs to relax. He pitched this thing at Constitution Hill three years ago and they declined it ... Why doesn't he pursue the matter legally if he has any grounds to stand on?”
The iZangoma Zodumo star's festival, which will take place at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg on October 1, consists of a renowned line-up of artists such as Sjava, Lamiez, Nomfundoh Moh and Blaq Diamond, among others, shedding light on African spirituality and art through good food and music.
Gogo Maweni said Romeo could have collaborated with her instead of trying to bring her down.
“I've heard his talks and comments and I said to myself I'm not going to entertain him, we are not on the same level. If he had the finances to pull off this festival he would have done it a long time ago, but he doesn't.
“He could have asked to sell his bunny chows and I would have given him a stall. Not what he's doing. He could have come and asked where we can partner, as another healer, hence I'm working with Skhoteni to show people that you can work with another healer.”
Gogo Maweni said Romeo should respect her and stop parading as a “Mkhulu”, implying that he hasn't been a sangoma for a long.
“Romeo must stop lying to the people calling himself Mkhulu Romeo, He should be Gogo Romeo ... he just got initiated almost three years ago ... he must stop lying to people ... He should come correct as a young Gogo.”
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'We're not on the same level' — Gogo Maweni slams Romeo Malepe over 'stolen festival concept' claims
Image: MASI LOSI
Makgotso Lee-Ann Mokopo, popularly known as Gogo Maweni, has dismissed claims that she stole a festival concept from traditional healer Romeo Malepe.
This after Gogo Maweni launched her Ubungoma Festival in early July.
According to City Press, Romeo Malepe accused sangoma Gogo Maweni of using her newfound fame and money to steal his Ancestor's Picnic concept.
The sangoma has been hurling insults at the reality TV star on social media.
“There are fake Gucci sneakers out there, there's also a fake sangoma festival out there Yabathakhani abandiza ngama thorn sticks,” he wrote recently on Facebook.
Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Gogo Maweni said Romeo Malepe was trying to bring attention to himself using her name as the ideas were not the same.
“He does picnics, I'm doing a festival, those are two different things. I'm not going to close the street down and serve people Kota [bunny chow] and invite abongoma [sangomas].
“We are looking at music, arts, crafts ... we've got artists, that's something he doesn't do, he needs to relax. He pitched this thing at Constitution Hill three years ago and they declined it ... Why doesn't he pursue the matter legally if he has any grounds to stand on?”
The iZangoma Zodumo star's festival, which will take place at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg on October 1, consists of a renowned line-up of artists such as Sjava, Lamiez, Nomfundoh Moh and Blaq Diamond, among others, shedding light on African spirituality and art through good food and music.
Gogo Maweni said Romeo could have collaborated with her instead of trying to bring her down.
“I've heard his talks and comments and I said to myself I'm not going to entertain him, we are not on the same level. If he had the finances to pull off this festival he would have done it a long time ago, but he doesn't.
“He could have asked to sell his bunny chows and I would have given him a stall. Not what he's doing. He could have come and asked where we can partner, as another healer, hence I'm working with Skhoteni to show people that you can work with another healer.”
Gogo Maweni said Romeo should respect her and stop parading as a “Mkhulu”, implying that he hasn't been a sangoma for a long.
“Romeo must stop lying to the people calling himself Mkhulu Romeo, He should be Gogo Romeo ... he just got initiated almost three years ago ... he must stop lying to people ... He should come correct as a young Gogo.”
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