After five years of allegations, threats and controversy, the roots of a South African song that got people dancing across the world will finally be tested in court.
A trial date has been set for the highly publicised stand-off between musicians DJ Charmza (Ntimela Chauke) and DJ Master KG (Kgoagelo Moagi) over who the real mastermind behind Jerusalema is. The Pretoria high court will hear the matter from November 17-28.
Charmza claims he is entitled to royalties from the 2020 hit song, saying he was part of its genesis.
Both producers are confident that they will win the case.
“I will embarrass them,” Master KG told the Sunday Times this week. “I’m prepared for the trial and to prove that all the things these guys are saying are not true. There’s proof which will be shared in court. I don't want to comment on who was in the studio. I have been quiet for four years.”
DJ Charmza says he too is ready for the trial. “I have everything the court needs and wants. Whatever they need I’ll give them. I have been on this case with my lawyers for years. It has traumatised me a lot — the trauma of remembering other people having a good time with the song that I produced. I’m going to win the case, the case is mine,” he said.
Jerusalema, featuring Nomcebo Zikode, became a global anthem in 2020, winning more than 600-million YouTube views and millions of streams across other platforms.
Helping to catapult it to fame was the famous Jerusalema dance, which took off during the Covid lockdown after the Angolan dance troupe Fenómenos do Semba created the #JerusalemaDanceChallenge video that went global.
Charmza has shared screenshots of WhatsApp conversations as well as voice recordings between the two.
The road to this trial has been dramatic.
Charmza's brother was assassinated and his father injured just days before the trial date was set, prompting Charmza to go into hiding as he fears for his life. He has hired private security to protect him.
“I can't move from now until November because of what happened to my brother. It's going to be hard for me for these seven months. They went there two, three times and they found my brother. When my brother claimed to be me, they shot him in the head. The question is, who is looking for me?”
Master KG said he didn’t understand how Charmza had come to the conclusion that this court case had anything to do with the murder of his brother.
“It's sad to see things like that. I don't know how it is possible that people are linking that to a case of four years. But I wish him all the best.”
The two began working together in 2014 and produced two other songs, Manyobanyoba and Maaka. Charmza claims he has never received a cent for those songs either, but just wants his share of the global hit to put this issue to rest.
“I don't care about the other ones. I’m going for Jerusalema. Maybe later, I’ll think about the others. There's enough cake for everyone and everyone is being selfish and greedy. Why is everyone getting a cut but me?”
Open Mic Productions record label is the sole owner of the song. The company's legal representative Nape Masipa declined to comment.
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