The Sunday News
Nigel Siziba, Sunday Life Reporter
WHILE some local artistes may be struggling to convert their art work into money, it is the opposite for Shane Manjelo who has hit the right chord in the music industry and managed to open a food outlet.
He says the food outlet will play a pivotal role in the music industry, through employment, sponsoring events and empowering small businesses.
In an interview with Sunday Life, Manjelo said the food joint was a result of his well worked album, Gqom Life.
“We released Gqom Life album last year December where we worked with DJ Nko (SA DJ), DJ Kadziko and DJ Skhu, we launched this album three times and the turn out was good and the question was how do we monetise our work,” he said.
The artistic entrepreneur said he did not sell any CD as most people were not buying them.
“After that show I chose not to go the way most artistes choose of affiliating themselves with other brands of which at the end of the day they pocket very little money and I thought it would be good to have my own brand that will have good quality so that so that people will keep coming especially those who used to attend Gqom Life events and it paid off,” said Manjelo.
As a way of empowering local artistes he even went on to employ some of the artistes.
He also availed that every Friday they would be hosting rap battles and dance competitions and their brand ambassador was Mzoe7.
“We are going to be hosting ciphers and dance competitions every Friday and there are going to be some monetary rewards and our brand ambassador is Mzoe7,” he said.
His primary mandate is to also see the money circulating in Bulawayo.
“For supply purposes we can depend on big companies but if someone is selling let’s say chickens even if they are not established companies we can buy from them thus promoting even smaller businesses and those are the same people who will come and buy from us again,” said Manjelo.
They have an open door policy for artistes if they need sponsorship.
He also encouraged local artistes to unite, shun pride and also urged local radio stations to do their best in grooming stars that would represent Zimbabwe at international level.
@sizibanigel
