Amapiano sensation Kelvin Momo, real name Thato Ledwaba, is facing a financial threat after Australian firm Ace Events filed court papers seeking the liquidation of his company, Kelvin Momo Production.
The claim alleges that the 31-year-old hitmaker’s company owes up to R2.8 million in refunds and damages due to his failure to perform at two scheduled shows in Australia last year.
According to “Sunday World”, Ace Events director Million Mwenge Butshiire stated that Kelvin Momo and his team received a 50% deposit for the performances but they failed to show up.
The agreement between Momo and Ace Events specified that:
Performance dates
He was scheduled to perform for 60 minutes at Melbourne on November 2, 2024 and then again at Perth on November 3, for 60 minutes.
Payment terms
- US$10,000 (over R180 0000) performance fee for Melbourne
- US$7,500 (over R137 000) performance fee for Perth
- 50% deposit paid upfront, with the balance due seven days before the event
- The agreement stipulated that if Kelvin Momo missed the performance, they would reschedule within three months of postponement/cancellation. Failure to perform and reschedule would require an immediate refund to the promoter.
Ace Events claims that Momo did not show up for the gigs and failed to refund the promoter or reschedule the performances within the agreed time frame.
This is not the musician’s first instance of missing a gig. In April, he sparked fan outrage after failing to appear at Piano Palooza in Zambia. Kelvin Momo claimed he had a conflicting gig in Limpopo and could not catch his flight but fans were left disappointed and frustrated.
Meanwhile, fans have taken to social media to react to the news.
Some are wondering why Momo continues to flake on his gigs, while others are joking that maybe his prolific music output is a result of trying to make up for his debt.
X user @thegirlthato_ asked: “I wonder if Kelvin Momo is overbooking or whether he is just lazy and unserious.”
I wonder if Kelvin Momo is overbooking or whether he is just lazy and unserious
— Tee (Thato) (@thegirlthato_) May 11, 2025
Some just want the amapiano heavyweight to take accountability. @Siya_ZAR commented: “As much as it looks bad, artists need to take responsibility. These are other people’s livelihoods and careers they are messing up so they must take accountability.”
As much as it looks bad, artists need to take responsibility. These are other people’s livelihoods and careers they are messing up so they must take accountability
— Siya (@Siya_ZAR) May 11, 2025
“I live in Perth Western Australia and he was about to have the biggest amapiano concert of the year. We were so disappointed to find out gore (that) he missed di flight tsotlhe (all the flights),” said @Thobirama_.
I live in Perth Western Australia and he was about to have the biggest amapiano concert of the year. We were so disappointed finding out gore he missed di flight tsotlhe. Chelete ase mathata mara he disappointed us
— Thobo Ramalepa (@Thobirama_) May 11, 2025
@Minddemic also added: “I bought a ticket to see him perform in Zambia .. last month .. he didn’t show.. so many us South Africans who were there felt let down and embarrassed by the unprofessionalism displayed.. the company still hasn’t refunded us ama thousands wethu (our thousands) for tickets.”
I bought a ticket to see him perform in Zambia .. last month .. he didn’t show.. so many us South Africans who were there felt let down and embarrassed by the unprofessionalism displayed.. the company still hasn’t refunded us ama thousands wethu for tickets.
— SirJari™ (@MindDemic) May 12, 2025
The firector of Until Until events, Thuly Thulz (Thulani Dandala) has touched on his frustrating experiences working with amapiano acts, highlighting chronic lateness, mismanagement and a general disregard for professionalism.
He added that there were instances where amapiano artists have missed entire shows that they were booked for.
Despite the controversy, is set to headline the sold out Red Bull Symphony next month June.
