The decades-long platonic relationship between businesswoman Bridgette Motsepe and veteran music producer Sello “Chicco” Twala has collapsed amid allegations that Motsepe refused to pay more than R3-million she had promised for halting the production of a controversial film. The movie, titled Worse Than Apartheid, was meant to expose corruption among top ANC figures.
Trouble first emerged after actors involved in the film decided to picket outside the homes of Motsepe and Twala in Johannesburg to protest the non-payment of their acting fees. A mole, who declined to be named for fear of victimisation, alleged that the dispute started when Twala – a staunch ANC supporter – was approached by Motsepe and asked to stop the release of the film.
It is alleged that ANC top leadership, who had learned about the movie, requested Motsepe to engage Twala after he had refused an earlier direct request from the party not to release the film. The movie, initially set to hit screens in May last year just before the national general elections, was intended to expose wrongdoing that could tarnish the party’s image.
“At the time, Twala had already spent millions of rands producing the film and was on the verge of securing a contract with a top TV channel to air the movie,” the mole said.
Sunday World has seen text messages between Motsepe, Twala, and top ANC leaders, in which commitments were made to reimburse the actors and executive producers for their participation. A top ANC leader reportedly paid Twala and his crew what was agreed, deleting the timeline of the eight-episode film. The funds were used to pay the crew and actors half of their fees, with the promise that Motsepe would settle the remaining amounts.
“While the other top ANC leaders paid the funds, Motsepe allegedly disappeared after promising to do so, leaving the affected parties feeling that they got the short end of the stick,” the mole added.
Pearl Mbewe, founder of Wisdom Mobile Marketing Solutions which represents the actors, criticised both Motsepe and Twala for failing to honour the agreement.
“After the agreement was reached, Ms Motsepe and Chicco Twala used power, their political connections and money to undermine what was agreed upon,” Mbewe said. “She can have deep pockets to pay expensive lawyers or use her political connections to intimidate us, we are ready. Her being the sister-in-law of President [Cyril] Ramaphosa or sister of Patrice Motsepe doesn’t bother us.”
Lebogang Nqolobe, one of the film producers, lamented the delayed payments and manipulation.
“We tried an amicable approach to this matter and, unfortunately, we were faced with more manipulation and dishonesty. I accompanied Mr Twala to the Saxon Hotel, where Ms Bridgette Motsepe had invited prominent business executives to contribute towards the funding of a new reconciliatory film addressing unity among South Africans. Unfortunately, nothing happened after that meeting. As the crew, we struggled for almost a year before we got paid by Mr Twala and we really feel bad that the actors have still not been paid,” Nqolobe said.
Twala, responding to the controversy, acknowledged the involvement of ANC leaders.
“The issue regarding the exchange of money between myself, the crew and actors with an ANC leader is a mere hearsay but it’s true that the ANC did request ambassador Bridgette Motsepe to speak to me and my colleagues to delay the release of the film as it was going to hurt the ANC in the 2024 general elections,” he said.
Twala confirmed that Motsepe had promised to raise funds to pay the actors, but her commitments at the Pan-African Parliament delayed the process, resulting in the ongoing dispute.
“Despite non-payment of the outstanding amount, the big expenses for the crew and equipment were taken care of. What was left was the actors, and that responsibility was to be taken care of by funds ambassador Motsepe promised to raise,” Twala explained.
He added that the protest march to his property and that of Motsepe was unfortunate but insisted he would continue trying to engage her to resolve the matter.
A mole alleged that the actors plan to picket outside Motsepe and Twala’s homes on October 15, after a previously scheduled protest on October 8 was postponed due to procedural issues with the municipality.
The mole expressed disappointment at Motsepe’s approach.
“As a mother, a black woman, an ambassador of economic development for the Pan-African Parliament, and someone often positioned as a leader, her approach has not met the expectations associated with those roles. Under apartheid, black communities endured systemic silencing and exclusion from opportunities. For leaders today to betray that promise is to diminish the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom,” the source said.
At the time of going to print, Motsepe had not responded to questions regarding the dispute.
The breakdown of the relationship between Motsepe and Twala underscores tensions between politics, business, and creative expression, as actors and crew continue to demand accountability for promised payments, while questions linger over the influence of party politics on the arts.
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