9 TO 5? NAAH!
It s not in him to be ’ a regular Joe, writes
THOUSANDS of children growing up in rural villages across the country would kill for an opportunity to study law.
It’s seen as one of the grandest careers the world over.
But for DJ Kwazee, born in Transkei as Kwazi Mpumlwana (32), reading towards an LLB degree was just a waste of time.
It wasn’t in his blood to be a lawyer; he had other plans.
After dropping out of the University of Free State, Mpumlwana tried his luck with companies, getting jobs at both parastatals and private entities.
But the 9-to-5 routine proved too much for him, so the streetwise cousin of Generations veteran actress Nambitha Mpumlwana opened a driving school in Tshwane in 2003, starting with just one car.
“I started out slowly but after my mother passed on I realised I needed to get going, no matter how hard it was,” he says.
Soon, the popular vinyl-spinner added an array of businesses to his portfolio.
One of these was music production, which led to him “stealing” three dancers from Arthur Mafokate’s stable – and he ended up marrying one of Chomee’s former dancers, the luscious Nkuli Vilakazi.
“In 2008 I registered my record label. My first project was for female group Fohloza,” he says. “I later worked on my own Afro-pop project and released an album, Kwanele. It was hard to make a living at first but I toured the country selling my music from the boot of my car.
“I managed to sell 15 000 copies in that manner and I became eager to do more. I didn’t care about airplay. All I wanted was to get my music to my fans.
“As I was fast becoming a music executive, I decided to get raw talent and signed youngsters to my stable. We released albums and performed nationwide.
“That’s when the money started rolling in and bigger dreams were realised,” says Mpumlwana with a smile.
Artists he recruited included Queens of Dance, Elements of Soul and Top Mafia, as well as DJS such as Menace, Cue R and the late mix maestro DJ West.
He’d learnt how to licence his stable’s music when he worked for a big record label.
He tells us he had a vision after his three-year-old daughter was born that saw him also stretch his tentacles into soccer.
“I then started a second label, which I named after my bundle of joy, Beyoncé,” he fondly recalls.
“Last year I bought a soccer club, which I also renamed Beyoncé FC. It’s now campaigning in the Safa Vodacom Second Division League.
“Our aim is to work hard and campaign in the PSL within the next five years,” he says boldly.
Soccer agent Lawrence Okwara, who represented the likes of Moroka Swallows goalkeeper Greg Etafia and former Orlando Pirates midfielder Onyekachi Okonkwo, manages the club, while former Bucs striker Jerry Sikhosana helps shape the team’s fortunes.
“I have a clubhouse in Roodepoort where some of the players who come from outside Joburg live. We make sure they’re comfortable and can concentrate on the game,” he says.
He won’t say how much he spends on running the club.
Mpumlwana also refuses to disclose what car he drives, though he is known to be the proud owner of a fleet of luxury machines, including a Hummer.
And his East London nightclub, Uzogcwala Lounge?
“It’s part of my passion for music.”
mdakaneb@sundayworld.co.za