Thato Molamu On Shifting From The Screen To Business Ventures And More

Sehume Thato Molamu / 35 / CEO & Founder of Gateway Media, Social Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Marketing Brand Strategist, Film Director and Media Personality.

You’ve made a solid name for yourself, how has your journey been like?

Like most things in life, the journey has had its ups and downs. I was fortunate enough to have had a long and successful career in South Africa’s film, and television industry and too have been taught and mentored by some of the country’s best. I will always be grateful for the opportunities given to me and I look forward to the next phase of the journey.

Why the break from the screen to pursue business?

It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while now.  I made the decision after seeing the rapid growth of Gateway Media, which has in a short period, really made waves in the industry. So I think its only right that I step away from acting for while to give it my full attention. Also, while I’ve loved my time in front of camera lens,  I believe I can have a greater impact behind the scenes.  There’s so much more I can offer the industry and the African continent, and stepping away for a while will give me the space and time needed to really make a difference.

What’s the sole purpose of Gateway Media?

Quite simply, our core purpose is to tell authentic African stories and to help grow and develop Africa’s future storytellers. Through our flagship township-based Film & Digital Academy (LiMA), we help our clients tell original stories that resonate with audiences and inspire brand confidence. We believe that the world is ready for authentic African stories, and we’re developing the content creators that can tell them.

What’s your take on digital content creation in South Africa?

As you well know, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is well upon us. Digital content creation is where the world has been heading to for the last decade or so, and unfortunately, we’re still playing catch up to some of our counterparts. That said, the potential that exists within South Africa is immense. We have the talent and local expertise to become global players if we really work together and build an industry that up skills and supports our youth. That’s what Gateway Media is all about, giving access to those that traditionally, would have been excluded from participating in the digital revolution.

The pandemic has shifted the focus heavily on content, what ideas have you been sharing for engagement?

We were privileged enough to have had already launched Conrad TV prior to the pandemic. Conrad TV is a conversational radio-television platform that intuitively exploits the best of both worlds by integrating radio and television into a simultaneous, single audio-visual offering. The platform is doing well, and we expect to see more uptake in the viewer and listenership numbers in the coming months. Additionally, we’re prioritizing the development of original content that can live on various platforms, such as online shows, documentaries and TV series’. We quite excited about the future, watch this space!

What is the Thato Molamu Foundation all about?

The Thato Molamu Foundation is a non-profit organisation that I founded in 2012, with the goal of having a measurable impact in the lives of under-resourced South Africans through healthcare, education and creative industries. The foundation aims to transform the mindsets of people by unlocking the hidden talents and potential of youth through film, animation, gaming, coding and art and entrepreneurship capacity building programs within creative industries.

You also head up Leaders in Motion Academy, in what ways is it a first of its own?

The Leaders in Motion Academy (LiMA) is one of South Africa’s first digital creative skills academies and production hubs based in the township of Eersterust in Tshwane. Our mission is to normalize access to digital creative (technical) and business skills for township-based creative entrepreneurs and to connect them to markets in Africa and beyond.

How has the balance between acting and business blended into your lifestyle?

Acting will always have a space in my heart and my years of acting in theatre, television and working on radio nurtured my love for storytelling. It also introduced the world to Thato Molamu, for which I will always be eternally grateful. With this business venture, I am pioneering a new wave of digital marketing and content creation, one in which African storytellers will have a seat at the table and a stake in the game.

Where can people follow all your business ventures?

We are available on our website at https://www.gatewaymediaza.com/about-us/, and people can connect with us on LinkedIn at Gateway Media ZA. For more work we do at LiMA, you can visit our website https://www.limacademy.co.za/ and our YouTube channel Lim Academy (don’t forget to subscribe).

Follow Thato Molamu!

Instagram: @thatomolamu

Twitter: @ThatoMolamu

Facebook: @ThMolamu

 

-Bridgette Makhela

Tresor On New Single, Creating Music And Nostalgia Album

Mukengerwa Tresor Riziki / Singer, Songwriter, Producer & Entrepreneur

You just released Thrill last month, what inspired the title?

The title was inspired by the incredible feeling of excitement and joy I get from living my dreams out loud and the amazing people I am blessed to be surrounded by.

You visited New York pre-lock down, what was the experience like?

The experience was really tense, the city was not alive and crazy like everyone knows New York. I was actually on my way to Los Angeles to record for a week and had to make a fast U-turn when the world started to shut down, luckily made it back home on time for lock down. That was a very hard decision because the trip was planned months prior, but it was the best choice we made.

Nostalgia made waves in the music industry, are you working on any new projects?

Yes, Nostalgia is such a special project that I am very proud of. I am working on a few amazing projects and will be announcing someone exciting news in the next two months.

How are you staying focused on your work during the lock down?

I am making sure I keep to my everyday routine, like it was before the Covid-19 madness. I wake up, exercise in the garden then hit my office for admin and stay up until late writing and producing songs in my studio at home. Sometimes it’s 18 working hours or even 24 working hours, so the rhythm hasn’t really changed. The creativity is keeping me sane. Also, it’s a super inspiring time creatively.

What does music mean to you?

Music is pretty much the essence of my being and core of my purpose.

How do you find the process of creating music?

The process of making music is a great spiritual journey. It’s uplifting, healing and a joy fountain.

Your story is an inspiring one, what keeps you grounded and focused?

My journey and where I come from keep me focused on the bigger vision and grounded to stay in touch with my core and values.

Do you have a favourite song from your catalogue so far?

This is a very hard one, my catalogue is growing and to be honest I don’t think I have written my favourite song yet. Things change as time goes by and the music keeps coming. For now I am enjoying ‘Thrill’.

Any hidden talent/s your fans may not know about?

I think I am a decent cook.

How do you plan on making a lasting legacy?

I plan on reviving glory days of African Pop music globally and uplift the next generation of African leaders in our youth.

Follow Tresor!

Instagram: @tresorofficial

Twitter: @tresoroffcial

Facebook: @tresor.official1

 

-Bridgette Makhela

 

Doowap & Tarryn On New Single Thunda Thighs, Collaborations And Performing

Khetsiwe “Doowap” Morgan / 30 / Live Mix DJ & Performer

Tarryn “TNT” Alberts / 29 / Artist, Dancer & Business Owner

You guys recently released a banger of an Amapiano song called ‘Thunda Thighs’, how did the concept come about?

Tarryn and I had been listening to a lot of Amapiano in 2019 and we started creating choreography routines to some of the tracks to perform during my DJ sets. Then end of 2019, Tarryn had the hook “Mmmm aaaahhh mmmm aaahhhh Thunda Thunda” stuck in her head and around that time we had just met the young producer DJ Nel (now going by the name DJ Nelcee) at one of our shows in Limpopo. I spoke to Nel and got him to send through some of his beats for us to vibe to. We both fell in love with the power and energy of the Thunda Thighs beat and we made the song that same day, all that was left was for it to be mixed and mastered.

How and when did you two start collaborating?

I have always admired Tarryn as a dancer, already back in 2014. Then in 2017 I asked her to help me out with creating a show and adding dance as a new element. Our first ever gig performing together was at Budweiser’s first show in South Africa. We then did Afropunk Jozi and Afropunk Brooklyn, New York together. The transition to making music together was a natural and gradual progression.

Music and Dance are what you guys represent on another level, what do you think the South African industry has done right when it comes to these two entities?

Music and dance is in South Africans’/Africans’ blood. We dance and sing when we happy or sad. There’s always been spaces and platforms for both crafts to shine. I will say though that dancers are not treated with the respect they deserve. The amount of hours they put in to help bring an artist’s show to life is immense. They are often overlooked in terms of budget and attention deserved, but still they deliver over and above to bring a show to life. We need more community centres in underdeveloped areas to give children and young adults an alternative to the harsh circumstances they grow up in. Tarryn started a dance centre called “So Dope”, where she teaches classes and is grooming the next generation of dancers. Hopefully we can have more mentors, leaders and spaces created to nurture and cultivate young talented individuals in all forms of artistry.

Where do you guys keep getting inspiration from?

We are both super inspired and motivated by our country and the driven youth that inhibit it. Connecting with young artists at all ours shows, spending time with like-minded creatives in Braamfontein and each city we visit sparks us and ignites our fire. Travelling is always the biggest inspiration, hopping on a plane and landing in a completely different country with their own culture and views is always a refreshing mind shift and opportunity to learn and engage with other parts of ourselves.

Travel is a major part of your lives, how do you plan your schedules around this?

The traveling is part of the work, I try and organize gigs at the places I would like to visit. Sometimes we are fortunate enough to get opportunities that fly us out of the country and give us time to explore it. Tarryn was fortunate enough to do multiple world tours with a well known group.

Once the lockdown’s done, where can fans look forward to seeing your performances?

Wow the future of music is so uncertain. We are not really thinking about shows at the moment as they keep getting cancelled, the main focus is to keep making music and to keep creating. We are also figuring out new and interesting ways of making money in this industry during this weird climate. If you would like to catch us doing our thing and shining then for now it seems it’s going to have to be virtually through Lives and social media.

Any music video for Thunda Thighs in the pipeline?

We would love a video for Thunda Thighs and have the treatment mapped out but the lockdown has put everything on hold. Hopefully something will come out soon.

The one thing you always do before a performance?

We always do warm ups, some abs and core workout, run through the choreography and stretch. The main thing is to loosen up and get our energy levels up.

Any exciting projects still to come from you two?

At the moment we are just focused on making the music video, keeping fit and finding the direction we want the music to go. We are grateful to have this chance to work on ourselves without the pressure of the outside world at the moment.

Advice for aspiring young females that look up to you?

Advice is do whatever you have to do to keep your star shining. Even if it means sometimes you have to be selfish with your time and the people you want to be around. Work on your passion daily, even on the days you are feeling off, just keep moving forward.

Follow Doowap & Tarryn!

Instagram: @djdoowap / @tarryn_tnt

Twitter: @DJ_Doowap

Facebook: @DjDoowap / @tarryntnt

 

-Bridgette Makhela 

Khuli Chana On New Album, Achievements And The Motswako Movement

Khulani Morule / 37 / Motswakoriginator

You’ve just dropped your new album, ‘Planet Of The Have Nots’, what’s the message in the music?

It’s about paying homage to a place I come from, my big brother HHP, and sharing stories about failure, success, the past and the future.

Your catalogue is absolutely incredible, what kept driving you to get this far?

Sustaining a career in this industry is not easy, but we’ve done it for over 10 years now. I attribute my success to the guys I came up with, Kaygizm and Towdeemac (MORAFE). Making music that ages well, it’s timeless.

Something people don’t know about Khuli Chana?

Before I became a rapper, I was a gymnast for about 7 years.

In all honesty, what scares you about the industry?

Being forgotten and dusted, that fear has always kept me going, and re-inventing myself.

Your biggest achievement so far would be?

My music catalogue, building my mom a property business, raising a beautiful daughter and marrying my best friend.

All your albums are a true reflection of the Motswako movement, has that always been your core focus and message?

GROWTH has always been the core focus.

The years have seen you carve yourself into a unique South African artist, what would you believe is your ex-factor? 

Trends come and go, style is timeless.

Amongst other titles, you’re a multi award winning rapper, what other projects are you involved with?

I’m a co-founder of MAFTOWN HEIGHTS, an annual Hip Hop event property. It just recently turned 10 years and we are currently working on the Anniversary Celebration.

Does fame or reputation matter to you? And why?

Fame is the worst drug known to man, it comes with what I do, but I never let it get to my head. Building a great reputation in this business will sustain your career.

Photographer Edit: Odirile Seagang

Follow Khuli Chana!

Instagram: @khulichana01

Twitter: @KhuliChana

Facebook: @KhuliChana

 

-Bridgette Makhela