Wezulu Studio launches digital TV channel
AMID the COVID-19 pandemic that has changed the showbiz terrain, co-founders of Chegutu-based Wezulu Studio, Promise and Apton Wezulu, have widened their horizon to launch an online television channel, WezuluTV.
The Wezulu brothers lead different bands. Promise is in charge of The Extra Vibe band, while Apton headlines Orchestra Mutinhimira.
In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style yesterday, the Wezulu brothers said they were set to launch the online television channel soon as a way to adapt to the “new norm”wrought by the coronavirus pandemic.
“The current environment requires artists to be innovative and make adjustments to the way of doing business. Through WezuluTV project which is an extension of our studio, we are trying to create a platform for the up-and-coming artistes from the mining town of Chegutu and surrounding areas to showcase their talents as well as reach a wider audience that will help them build a better fan base,” Apton said.
“The outbreak of the COVID-19 has not only affected our creative sector, the situation now requires a shift in mind-set and approach. Some of the channel’s sessions will be live recorded while others will be pre-recorded. We are open to work with artistes across all genres be it gospel, dancehall, reggae, house, jazz or sungura.”
The younger brother, Promise, weighed in saying the WezuluTV channel was part of their desire to contribute towards talent identification in the creative sector.
“There is a lot of talent here in Chegutu and surrounding areas that needs to be nurtured, but many of these up-andcoming artistes have been failing to get that opportunity, so we joined hands with my brother Apton to open the Wezulu Studio and now we are working towards the establishment of WezuluTV to enable them fulfil their dreams,” he said. “We understand that these artistes will be experiencing difficulties to even raise the money to record their music. We have that in mind as we are not there for the love of money, but to help the growth of the music industry.”
Promise said he was thankful to his parents who supported their dream by availing the rooms they turned into the studios.
“I am happy that for us to be able to set up the studio which with time we intend to develop into a state-of-the-art facility, we had parental blessings. Our parents allowed us to pursue our passion, they really support our careers even financially,” he said.
“Our wish is to further develop this studio into a state-of-the-art facility that will be equipped with best appliances such as the Apple Logic recording software. We are optimistic that one day we will be able to say yes, this is our dream studio now as we reflect backwards to where we started.”
SOUTH AFRICAN football publication, kickoff.com, has listed Warriors’ and Lamontville Golden Arrows striker Knox Mutizwa among players that Kaizer Chiefs could target in the coming July/August transfer window.
Mutizwa has been in blistering form of late after a slow start to the 2020/21 DStv Premier League season.
He recently scored two goals in the league, which helped push Abafana Besthende to position four on the table and was at the top of his game on Saturday despite his side losing to AmaZulu in a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw in regulation time in the preliminary round of the Nedbank Cup.
Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt told kickoff.com that he had a long list of players that he was targeting for the struggling giants come July when Amakhosi goes onto the market after a long time. The publication has thrust Mutizwa among six strikers on a list of 20 players that they say Kaizer Chiefs might be targeting to sign during the July/August transfer period.
The other strikers include SuperSport United’s Bradley Grobler, AmaZulu’s Bongi Ntuli, Evidence Makgopa of Baroka, Craig Martin of Cape Town City and Maritzburg United duo of Daylon Claasen and Thabiso Kutumela.
However, Hunt, who joined Kaizer Chiefs at the beginning of the season after Bidvest Wits sold its franchise to Tshakatshuma Tsha Madzivhandila, has not mentioned names despite admitting he had a long list of players he was targeting to strengthen his squad.
“Like anybody, I’ve got a list longer than my arm, but that’s all pie in the sky. It’s like saying you want this one but you know it’s not possible. Realistically, we obviously looking at targets, like any other team. We haven’t done it for some time now and that’s pretty much basically how it works. But what’s attainable and what’s not attainable is always a problem, so we have got to be realistic,” Hunt said.
Chiefs sit on an unfamiliar position eight on the table after playing 15 games with only four wins, six draws and five defeats and on Sunday were bundled out of the Nedbank Cup by lowly Richards Bay, who compete in the second-tier GladAfrica Championship.
Amakhosi last made signings in January 2019 following a two-window transfer Fifa ban, with appeals against the censure hitting a brickwall.
Mutizwa also had a splendid 2019/20 Absa Premier Soccer League season in which he scored 13 goals in the league, challenging for Golden Boot award for the better part of the season.
His compatriots Khama Billiat and Willard Katsande have their contracts at Chiefs coming to an end in June.
Billiat is targeted by clubs in North Africa, with his former coach at Mamelodi Sundowns Pitso Mosimane, now at Egyptian giants Al Ahly, eyeing a re-union with the Warriors’ star.
However, reports in South Africa suggest Billiat could be extending his stay at Naturena.
MUTIZWA had a splendid 2019/20 Absa Premier Soccer League season in which he scored 13 goals in the league, challenging for Golden Boot award for the better part of the season.