Last week we reported that the winner of MasterChef SA, Deena Naidoo, was upset with M-Net for apparently lying about his prizes. He claimed that while it was promoted that the eventual winner would win a restaurant, it turned out that he only gets to “manage” the place. In a press release received by 2oceansVibe late on Friday afternoon, the broadcaster has responded to these allegations.

According to M-Net’s publicity department, these claims are factually incorrect.

The total restaurant prize included (amongst other things) the full-time running and rebranding of the floor space. This arrangement was rent free, for two years. However, M-Net and Tsogo Sun structured the sponsorship to permit the MasterChef winner to choose between various options of participation in the restaurant, knowing that the winner might not be able to take up such a fantastic prize.Deena elected a joint venture operation where he will share in the restaurant profits and partake in the rebranding and relaunch of the restaurant. This will run for two years. This decision was based on the fact that Deena, his wife and children are unable to relocate to Johannesburg at this time.”

In another interesting twist of events, M-Net also included a quote by Deena Naidoo himself about how happy he is with the arrangement:

“I consider myself privileged and am extremely grateful to have won this prize. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. At no point have I ever been disappointed with the arrangement I have with M-Net and Tsogo Sun. In fact, they have been extremely accommodating and flexible and are allowing me the chance to run this restaurant whilst keeping my current job in Durban. Tsogo Sun appreciates that my family comes first. I couldn’t be more excited to embark on this journey with them.”

Also, according to the press statement Deena “never expected to have R8 million in his bank account and any reports that suggest this are simply untrue.”

I wanted to clear up the misconception that this might be the case, and in the process, it was asserted that I’ve been let down by M-Net and Tsogo Sun. This is inaccurate.”

What do you make of this sudden change of stories? Before you answer, have another look at the original call for entries, as STILL LISTED on the DSTV website:

MasterChef SA offers the most valuable prize in South African television history: R250 000 from Robertsons, a brand new Hyundai Elantra 1.6 GLS, a 7-day culinary experience in Italy and an Italian cookery course courtesy of Woolworths, a year’s supply of Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve wines and a customised sommelier course and one-on-one MasterClasses with Nederburg’s cellarmaster, as well as their very own Southern Sun restaurant at Sun Square Montecasino. The total prize value for South Africa’s first MasterChef exceeds R8 Million.”

[Source: M-Net]