SNAPS | Gogo Maweni praises Somizi for good advice after her Ubungoma Festival

05 October 2022 - 13:00
By Chrizelda Kekana
Somizi Mhlong and Gogo Maweni  during the media launch of the Ubungoma Festival.
Image: MASI LOSI Somizi Mhlong and Gogo Maweni during the media launch of the Ubungoma Festival.

Following a successful Ubungoma Festival, reality TV star and sangoma Gogo Maweni has expressed her gratitude to Somizi Mhlongo for always sharing his wisdom with her.

Taking to her Instagram, Gogo Maweni had nothing but good things to say about Somizi, who was the host with the most at the festival at Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, Johannesburg on October 1.

The love, respect I have for Somizi is out of this world. Thank you for continuing to inspire me. Your words mean a lot to me. I thank God and my ancestors for bringing the wise with wisdom to my life. I love you,” she wrote.

While there was initially some drama over the concept of the festival, it seems Gogo Maweni's inaugural festival went off without a hitch.

She 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 accused 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 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 festival included appearances by Gogo Maweni and Gogo Skhotheni and electrifying performances by Sjava, Nomfundo Moh, Blaq Diamond, Khuzani, DJ Lamiez, Anzo, Lerato Kganyago, Mnqobi Yazi, Aubrey Qwama and others.

Here are some snaps from the festival: