Bonang Matheba is one of South Africa’s most well-known and successful media figures, having conquered the worlds of radio, television, modeling, film production, and business.
Davin Phillips, on the other hand, works for Celebrity Services Africa as a director and talent manager (CSA). Bonang Matheba joined CSA in November 2017 after leaving her previous brand management firm, DNA Brand Architects.
In her official announcement, she declared that CSA would be representing all of her future entertainment, fashion, entrepreneurship, and philanthropic initiatives, and over the following few years, Queen B seemed to enjoy her management as her career and business thrived.
When Bonang Matheba announced her departure from CSA in 2021, she accused the company and her former manager Davin Phillips of stealing from her. This was the start of a lengthy dispute in which the two parties involved their lawyers and the court.
So, what occurred between Bonang Matheba and Davin Phillips? Everything you need to know about their war is right here.
Bonang Matheba’s accusations against Davin Phillips
Bonang Matheba announced her departure from CSA on Twitter on October 12, 2021. She also stated that she had directed her attorneys to “examine the likelihood of criminal behavior by the company and its representatives.”
Following Bonang Matheba’s revelation, the CSA turned to Twitter to accuse Queen B of breaching many contracts with various clients and said that they were waiting for Bonang Matheba’s lawyers to react to documents filed against her.
In May 2022, still fighting for “her baby,” as she dubbed House of BNG, Bonang took to Twitter to criticize Davin Phillips and CSA for attempting to steal from her. Some of her Twitter screenshots are included below.
In May 2022, still fighting for “her baby,” as she dubbed House of BNG, Bonang took to Twitter to criticize Davin Phillips and CSA for attempting to steal from her. Some of her Twitter screenshots are included below.
Davin Phillips’ reaction to Bonang Matheba’s accusations
Following Bonang’s tweetstorm in May 2022, Davin Phillips filed an urgent interdict motion at the Johannesburg High Court, requesting that Bonang Matheba withdraw her tweets, which he claimed put his life in danger.
Davin Phillips noted in his statement that Bonang had entered into an agreement with CSA that designated CSA as her sole agent for marketing and promoting her.
The deal expired on November 15, 2019, and the two parties went into a second arrangement on February 2, 2020, to provide identical services for Bonang’s beverage, however complications arose when Bonang Matheba attempted to cancel their second agreement illegally.
According to Phillips’ account, on June 11, 2021, CSA agreed to withdraw the arrangement it had with Bonang Matheba, following which Bonang became hostile to Philips and the other directors of CSA.
Davin Phillips and CSA published a statement saying that “any IP, Trademark, or copyright produced by CSA must remain in the property of CSA” after Bonang left CSA in 2021 and accused it of attempting to steal House of BNG from her.
“Ms Matheba earns a royalty on the retail price for each unit sold,” he added, “while not being subject to any risk should the business incur a loss or be needed to be capitalised.”
As the legal struggle between Bonang Matheba and Davin Phillips continues, and both parties continue to level accusations, we hope that the issue will be settled fairly, and we will keep you updated.
