A popular club owner in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, is demanding his money back from socialite and dancer Zodwa Wabantu after she failed to show up for a scheduled performance. Stenga Shabangu, the owner of Stengas Place, claimed that he had paid Zodwa for a booking, but she pulled a no-show, causing significant financial loss for his establishment.
According to Shabangu, Zodwa was booked to perform at his club on Saturday, 7 September, after an agreement between the two parties was made in June. He said that they had settled on a performance fee of R13,000, and he initially paid Zodwa a deposit of R8,000. In July, she reportedly requested the remaining R5,000, promising to record a promotional video for the event in return.
Shabangu provided proof of payment for both transactions, stating that after the full fee was paid, Zodwa recorded the promotional video as agreed. However, on the day of the event, Zodwa failed to appear, leaving Shabangu in a difficult situation with his patrons, many of whom were eager to see her perform.
The absence of the main act caused confusion and frustration among attendees, with some accusing Shabangu of scamming them. He asked Zodwa to issue an apology to her fans, which she did via another video. Despite this, Shabangu expressed his disappointment and demanded that Zodwa refund the money, as her no-show caused him to lose not only credibility but also potential ticket sales.
Shabangu shared his frustration in an interview, saying, “I’m hurt she did this to me. What hurts me more is that she didn’t communicate with us that she wouldn’t be available. She was the main act. I lost a lot of money that day as many people came, stood outside, and said they would buy tickets only when they saw her. Unfortunately, she didn’t show up.”
He continued to explain that every time he contacts Zodwa for the money, she claims that she is still raising the funds. This has left him perplexed, especially since she has other ongoing bookings. “What’s confusing is that she has other bookings. Why can’t she use that money and pay me?” he asked.
Zodwa, on the other hand, has confirmed that she was paid the booking fee but insists that she will not refund the money. In her defense, she attributed her decision to her spiritual beliefs, stating, “I’m an ancestor’s child, and when money comes in, there’s no way I can give it back because I have asked for it from my ancestors.”
She offered an alternative solution, suggesting that Shabangu set a new date for her to perform. “He must give me a new date then. I’ll come to perform for the same amount. I didn’t attend his event because, unfortunately, it was on the same day as another gig that paid me well. I thought I would make it to his event but failed,” she explained.
However, Shabangu has made it clear that he is not interested in rebooking Zodwa. He only wants his money back. For now, it seems the matter remains unresolved, with both parties standing their ground.
This incident has garnered attention as Zodwa Wabantu continues to navigate the entertainment world, known for her unapologetic approach and controversial statements. However, for Shabangu, the matter is a serious financial blow, and he hopes to recover his lost funds soon.