The much-celebrated South African reality TV star Musa Mseleku, known for his popular show UThando NesThembu, finds himself embroiled in a brewing controversy. Explosive allegations have surfaced, accusing Mseleku of fraud and exploitation, with claims that he owes R200,000 and failed to deliver on a promised ownership stake to two key collaborators. The accusations have cast a shadow over his production company, Thanks Ma, and the reality show that catapulted him into the limelight.

 

Zakhele Gumede and Musa Ntsebesha, two individuals who claim to have played instrumental roles in the creation and initial success of UThando NesThembu, are at the center of these allegations. According to their accounts, Mseleku promised them a 2% ownership stake in his production company, Thanks Ma, along with financial compensation for their contributions. However, they allege that these promises were never fulfilled, leaving them feeling exploited and sidelined from the lucrative deal with M-Net, the broadcaster of the hit show.

Ntsebesha brought these allegations to light during an appearance on the Daily Reports Platform podcast. He detailed a collaborative relationship that began in 2016, painting a picture of trust and partnership that eventually soured.

The Genesis of the Partnership

Ntsebesha recounted how his relationship with Mseleku began while working as a consultant for a local municipality in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). It was during this time that he met Musa Mseleku and his wife, Thobile. What began as a casual interaction soon blossomed into a business relationship, with Mseleku approaching Ntsebesha about the idea of creating a reality show, which would later become UThando NesThembu.

“I met Musa in 2016 in one of the local municipalities. He was one of the consultants there, and he was with his wife, Thobile Mseleku. Musa approached me about the idea of a reality show but admitted that he lacked the skills to bring the project to life. He was impressed with my work and asked for my assistance,” Ntsebesha shared during the podcast.

At the time, Thobile Mseleku was working for a local radio station, and the couple was eager to expand their brand through television. Ntsebesha claims that Mseleku was extremely generous in his initial promises, offering not only financial rewards but also equity in the production company that would create the show.

Promises of Wealth and Opportunity

“Mseleku promised us heaven and earth,” Ntsebesha recalled. “He said our lives would never be the same again if we helped him start the production company, Thanks Ma. He offered us a 2% stake in the company, and we trusted him.”

Ntsebesha’s account describes his extensive involvement in the development of UThando NesThembu, including writing the first season and creating the trailer that would eventually be presented to M-Net. He and Gumede were involved in every step of the production process, from filming key moments like MaCele’s birthday celebration to working in the studio on voiceovers.

The partnership appeared to be on solid ground when M-Net expressed interest in the show. Ntsebesha detailed how the network responded positively to the trailer and the first season, leading to what should have been a celebratory moment for all involved.

The Deal With M-Net

In October 2016, the trailer and first season were submitted to M-Net, and by January 2017, the production team received good news: UThando NesThembu was officially greenlit. However, what should have been the beginning of a successful partnership quickly turned sour.

“We were called to present the project to M-Net, and they were impressed with our work. I remember on our way back to KZN, Mseleku received a message from M-Net informing us that we had been successful. But after that, everything changed,” Ntsebesha explained.

Ntsebesha alleges that after the deal was secured, Mseleku began to cut him and Gumede out of the process. He claims that Mseleku failed to provide the promised contracts that would have formalized their ownership stake in Thanks Ma and began to distance himself from the two collaborators.

The Fallout: Allegations of Fraud and Exploitation

Things reportedly took a darker turn after Mseleku received further communication from M-Net regarding the signing of contracts. Ntsebesha and Gumede allege that Mseleku went to Johannesburg to finalize the deal but left them behind, effectively cutting them out of the profits and ownership they had been promised.

“I didn’t follow up on this because I trusted that we already had a deal with him,” Ntsebesha said. “But after that invitation to Johannesburg, he never spoke about the deal again.”

Ntsebesha claims that despite their significant contributions to the development of the show, Mseleku failed to honor the agreement. Instead, he and Gumede found themselves increasingly sidelined as the show gained popularity. According to Ntsebesha, the production company eventually received 25% of the profits from M-Net, but none of this was shared with him or Gumede.

Confrontations and Legal Battles

As the situation deteriorated, Ntsebesha and Gumede confronted Mseleku multiple times about the unpaid R200,000 and the unfulfilled promise of shares. Ntsebesha described several heated exchanges, in which Mseleku allegedly tried to downplay their contributions and offered them lesser roles in the production.

“We had so many fights with Mseleku because he wanted to include me as a student, but I refused. I told him I was the main producer, and he still hadn’t paid us or given us the shares,” Ntsebesha said. Gumede, who corroborated Ntsebesha’s account, added, “I was there, and it’s all true. Mseleku exploited us.”

Mseleku’s Silence and the Public Reaction

Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Musa Mseleku has remained silent on the matter. Multiple attempts to reach him for comment have gone unanswered, leaving many questions about the fairness and transparency of his business dealings.

The controversy has sparked widespread discussion among fans of UThando NesThembu and industry insiders. Many are questioning how Mseleku, a man who has built a reputation for openness and family values through his reality show, could be involved in such a scandal.

Conclusion: A Cloud Over UThando NesThembu

The allegations against Musa Mseleku have cast a dark shadow over UThando NesThembu and raised questions about the ethics of his business practices. As Ntsebesha and Gumede continue to seek justice for what they claim is their rightful share of the show’s success, the scandal threatens to tarnish Mseleku’s image as one of South Africa’s most beloved reality TV stars.

For now, the public is left waiting for Mseleku’s response, and the industry is left to grapple with the fallout of what could be one of the most explosive reality TV scandals in recent South African history.