Open Mic Productions, the record label that manages Limpopo singer Makhadzi, has issued a statement in response to Sunday World's report that they are being sued by Kick Sportswear- the company that manufactures Kicks Kokovha sneakers over their multi-million rand deal.
Over the weekend, Sunday World reported that they were being dragged to court for apparently failing to promote the sneaker collection. Kicks Sportswear has reportedly slapped them with an R8.2-million lawsuit. In response to the allegations, Open Mic Productions has come out guns blazing to dismiss the lawsuit against their client. In a statement, Open Mic Productions accused the complainant of trying to tarnish their brand.
According to the publication, the partnership agreement stipulated that Makhadzi was supposed to wear the sneakers to her performances. Additionally, she was required to promote the brand on social media.
“The plaintiff therefore claims damages for the following: The units of shoes in the warehouse being 6 900 pairs, less 20 pairs, sold in Limpopo, thus being 6 880 shoes at the retail price they would have sold, if first and second defendants did not breach the partnership agreement, thus amounting to R8 249 120,” read the court papers according to the publication.
“But yet again due to the breach caused by the first and second defendants, the plaintiff suffered a tremendous financial loss of R379 921, which invoices was attached to the letter of demand that was sent on the 6th of May 2022,” read the papers.
Open Mic, however, blames Kicks Sportswear for failing to fulfill its obligations.
"The complainant has made gross and unsubstantiated claims in his summons which we would like to dismiss as falsehoods, fabrications, and misinterpretations of how the events unfolded," read part of the statement.
They said when they entered into the R120 million agreement the supplier insisted that they launch the sneakers even though they had concerns that the peak festive shopping season was looming and they had no stock in hand.
"Stock never arrived in the agreed 90 days. It wasn't until February 2022 that 6900 shows were received. Several attempts were made by Open Mic Productions to assist the supplier to honour the obligations of delivering the goods. In terms of the contract, the complainant was to provide 8000 pairs of shoes on a monthly basis and that has not happened to this date," the statement continues.
According to the record label, they went so far as to provide Makhadzi's schedule regarding activations to boost the sales of their brand. However, he failed to do so or refused.
They said they organized an activation in Makhado which was a success and after the activation, he failed to respond to their messages and take their calls.
Open Mic says they received a lawyer's letter in April, in an attempt to rescue the project they requested a meeting to tackle the issue with lawyers present.
"At this joint meeting, it was agreed that we will attempt to jointly salvage the situation. Instead of a meaningful meeting with the complainant, we received summons plus particulars of the claim."
Open Mic says they reached out to the client to see if they could save the project because it was going to lapse in a few months. The discussion did not yield positive results.
" We are puzzled by his claim of R8 million considering that Makhadzi has lost earnings due to the fact that she had exclusivity tied to the deal and as such missed other deals."
Open Mic said in December 2021 Makhadzi made several requests for shoes to wear and promote but she was given several excuses that the shoes were not available.
Read the statement below:
BRANDS: Makhadzi Vs Kicks Sportswear
Makhadzi’s management questions the merits of the R8.2-million lawsuit against the artist
Open Mic Production says they entered into a R120-million deal but Kicks Sportswear failed on deliverables
