They were meant to host the second annual South African Amapiano Awards (SAAPA) but the much-anticipated ceremony was postponed due to a lack of ticket sales. The organisers said in a statement that the event was moved from 2 April to an indefinite date. "We understand the excitement and anticipation surrounding this event, and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to our guests and sponsors,' the statement read. "The decision to postpone the event was not an easy one, but it was made with careful consideration. We are working diligently to identify a new date and we will announce it very soon."  An associate has informed ZiMoja that there is more trouble at the SAAPAs than meets the eye. "Ticket sales are the least of our problems. There is a lot going on behind the scenes,' the anonymous source says. 

SOLD!

ZiMoja has learned that there is tension brewing and division as event organisers are at loggerheads. "We are not getting along at all right now,' the informant says. This is also because one of the CEOs allegedly sold the rights to the awards to kwaito music veteran and businessman Arthur Mafokate. According to an insider, the Oyi Oyi singer bought the rights to the awards from the main founder DJ Qness, real name Qhubani Ndlovu, for almost a million rands without her knowledge. "He messed up big time. We are fighting for internal reasons. But the main reason is that he sold the awards to Arthur. We found out when Arthur called everyone at the office wanting an address to serve Qness with the legal papers. He has been running and delaying, apparently. He does not attend meetings with sponsors. Now, the walls are closing in. He hasn't informed the sponsors like Theo from Bathu that he sold the rights,' she says. "He is in sh*t to say the least because he has also started using the funds. I am tired.'

MORE DRAMA

Scandals and drama have been surrounding the South African Amapiano Awards before its inaugural ceremony in 2021. There has been drama behind the scenes as a different organisation has claimed the founder, DJ Qness, stole the concept for the show. A legal representative of the Amapiano Awards, not to be confused with the South African Amapiano Awards sent a cease-and-desist letter to DJ Qness to not go ahead with the inaugural award ceremony as they allege that he stole the concept from their client. "The Amapiano Awards, being our client, we have learned that a non-profit company was registered in 2019, and the following year in 2020 a foundation was instituted as well and registered,' said Kevin Smith of Gani Mayet Attorneys. But the matter has since been cleared. ZiMoja attempted to reach DJ Qness for his side of the story but his phone went unanswered. Arthur refused to comment on whether he purchased the awards. "I don't discuss private matters in public.'