Moja Love hits back at Isencane Lengane critics

Moja Love defends the show Isencane Lengane, saying it relates to everyday challenges.

The show, which follows the journey of Siyacela Dlamuka and his wife Thando Dlamuka from Nkandla in northern KZN, has faced criticism for its content and language, which many consider vulgar.

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The couple entered into marriage as teenagers. Siyacela was 16 years old, and Thando was 15 years old when they tied the knot.

In June 2024, Sandile Mdluli, a concerned viewer who is also the national ambassador for Brothers For Life and the international ambassador for Humanitarian Institute Africa, wrote to the Broadcasting Complaint Council of South Africa (BCCSA).

He urged that the show’s content be restricted, arguing it lacks educational value. In the email to the BCCSA, Mdluli stated that the insults, particularly from Siyacela and some of his in-laws, are harmful to children.

“The continued vulgarity and insults in the show, especially from Siyacela Dlamuka and some of his in-laws, are detrimental to our kids and young people who might think it is okay to speak disrespectfully to adults. We cannot ignore the fact that our societal bad norms, TV plays a pivotal role in either promoting or perpetuating immoral behaviours. For now, I appeal to you that the show be restricted in its content and ease up on disrespect and vulgar language,” wrote Mdluli.

He warned that if unaddressed, it would necessitate the next step to mobilize a petition to stop the show.

The BCCSA acknowledged the receipt of the email.

Moja Love spokeswoman Monzwakazi Cekete stated that the channel was not aware of the complaint.

She defended the show, saying it highlights social ills in society.

“It may well be provocative; however, it’s important for such a show to be aired as it showcases the everyday realities of GBV, cultural intolerance, and provides an opportunity for debate,” said Monzwakazi.

“While the channel respects viewers on social media and the criticism in line with the right to freedom of expression as enshrined in the constitution, the channel believes the show contributes to the discourse relating to everyday challenges not only facing Thando but women who do not have a voice nor their struggles shown on television.”

Moja Love denies stealing content idea

MOJA Love has distanced itself from Durban-based independent producer Nandipha Mdingi’s claims that the channel stole her ideas when she pitched to them in September last year.

While the channel concedes that it indeed received the proposal from Nandipha, it denies stealing any of her ideas, saying that some of the shows she pitched were already under development or are already on air.

“Please be advised that there are already similar, or in fact the same shows that are existing on the channel’s schedule and some are currently on air, or have been aired before,” said head of channel Bokani Moyo.
Meanwhile, Nandipha told Daily Sun that she had, in September last year, submitted her proposals to the channel and she only received a response seven months later.

She said although her proposals were rejected, she was apparently told not to “promote the ideas, as they were under development”.

One of the proposals is about recruiting 10 or less homeless young people, who struggle with nyaope and rehabilitate them in a facility, so they can overcome the drug.

Nandipha said she saw the same idea being aired on TV after she submitted her proposal to the channel with the same idea.

“I was shocked when I saw that they were using the exact same concept as I had pitched to them while they rejected my ideas, telling me never to pitch them, because they were under development,” she said.
However, Bokani said they already had a similar idea with the working title, Ready to Quit, which is about scouting 10 homeless people and reuniting them with their families and getting them assistance by admitting them into rehabs.

“On the show we identity people who have either left their homes or are destitute perhaps through drug use, and we attempt to restore their relationships with their families,” she said.

Bokani admitted that the channel had put a call to the public for submission of proposals in June/July last year and they received thousands of proposals.

“Due to the magnitude of proposals received, the channel was working through all of them, so as to respond in a courteous manner to each individual,” she said.

“If the channel likes an idea, we will invite the owner of the concept to come present their idea to a panel of our existing executive producers.”