Grammy Award-winning South African singer Nomcebo Zikode, the voice behind the global smash hit 'Jerusalema', is back on tour and thrilling audiences despite her ongoing legal battle with Open Mic Productions. The Pretoria High Court recently ruled that Nomcebo must pay R1.5 million in legal costs after losing her appeal against Open Mic Productions.
After months of being in the spotlight due to the legal dispute, Nomcebo has returned to her passion: live musical performances. She recently shared pictures from her performance at the Dundee July on Instagram, expressing her joy at being back on stage and thanking the crowd for the warm welcome.
However, the legal drama continues. Zikode claims she hasn't been paid royalties for her vocals on 'Jerusalema', a song that achieved massive international success. She alleges that Open Mic Productions has not paid her a cent, despite her contract stipulating payments every three months, and yet expects her to deliver two more albums.
Judge Graham Moshoana dismissed her appeal, stating her case had “no reasonable prospects of success” and upheld the earlier ruling that she must complete two more albums for Open Mic before being released from her contract. This particular case wasn't directly about 'Jerusalema' royalties, but focused on her contract and a separate song, 'Bayethe'.
Nomcebo called the ruling “deeply troubling” and vowed to continue fighting for fairness in the music industry. Her legal team is reportedly considering further appeals. Open Mic Productions, on the other hand, welcomed the court's decision.
Despite the legal challenges, Nomcebo's return to the stage has been met with enthusiastic support from fans, who have flooded her social media with messages of encouragement. The singer's resilience and dedication to her craft are evident as she navigates this difficult period in her career.
Social Media Reacts to Nomcebo's Return
Social media has been buzzing with support for Nomcebo. One user commented, “It was good to see you.” Another added, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” The overwhelming sentiment is one of solidarity and encouragement for the artist as she continues to pursue her career amidst the legal complexities.