Ambassadors For Mamelodi Sundowns’ #SingWithSundowns Share Thoughts On The Football Club Celebrating 50 Years

Warren Masemola:

You’ve made an amazing impact in the entertainment industry, why be an ambassador for Mamelodi Sundowns?

Apart from being a proud Pretorian from Soshanguve, I grew up a fanatic since a match I watched at ODI Stadium when I was just 7 years old.

What does Mamelodi Sundowns celebrating 50 years mean to you?

Celebrating 50 years of Mamelodi Sundowns for me means a well-engineered dream can sustain itself for generations.

What is Sing With Sundowns all about?

#SingWithSundowns is a national competition that seeks to promote music in all the official languages of South Africa. Contestants enter a song that stands a chance to win R30,000.00 each month, between R100,000.00 to R600,000.00, or the R1million grand prize. The winner of the grand prize shall be announced at the end of the year Gala Banquet.

What is your advice for entrants?

 The song must refer to names or any new names associated with Mamelodi Sundowns, be creative. No songs will be accepted if they contain improper, disrespectful or defamatory language. Contestants must send songs to www.sundownsfc.com

Andile Ncube:

You’re an avid sports fan, what stands out for you about Mamelodi Sundowns?

Sundowns is the standard bearer for success and inspiration. More than anything, it is a supporter’s team, it’s always been, but now with a social conscience.

You’ve experienced both the sports and entertainment worlds, how does being an ambassador for Sing With Sundowns feel like?

Whenever one has an opportunity to give back or to assist and be a part of something bigger than themselves, seeing a career established and rise is always a fulfilling feeling.

50 years and Mamelodi Sundowns is still standing, what do you believe is the club’s winning formula?

It’s not only the consistent wins on the field but it’s the club’s identity and allegiance with supporters in South Africa and beyond. The president and the Motsepe family have opened the doors and made everyone feel welcome and like family.

What are you most excited about when it comes to the competition?

Like Sundowns does on the field when they unleash and introduce new talent like Percy Tau or with Miss Sundowns when they empower young woman like Zozi, I want to see a star! Someone writing a song and putting it together in their bedroom somewhere in South Africa and hearing it being played by thousands at stadiums across this nation.

Lamiez Holworthy:

You’re doing great in the entertainment space, how has your journey been like?

A roller coaster really. But for the most part, it’s been amazing. Got my big break when I was on the verge of giving up and seeing how God and my ancestors have made all my dreams come true, it leaves me in awe.

What do you believe you represent by being one of the Sing With Sundowns ambassadors?

Authenticity. I am proudly and authentically Pretorian. I wear that on my shoulders and I grew up supporting Sundowns. But most importantly because I am a DJ, I have an ear for music so choosing a great song will come easy for me.

What’s your favourite thing about Mamelodi Sundowns?

How it brings people from all walks of life together.

Lindiwe Dube:

You’ve been in the Sports industry for a while, why this route?

I grew up in Daveyton a township in Ekurhuleni. That’s where my love for the beautiful game started. My passion for the sport increased over the years and I wanted to be more than just a football fan. I was inspired by one of the leading ladies in sport like Carol Tshabalala, to take up space in a in a male dominated industry.

As an ambassador for Sing With Sundowns, what are you most hopeful for?

I’m a firm believer in opportunities & empowerment. The #SingWithSundowns campaign will change people’s lives. The music competition is open for all South Africans, men and women. By simply submitting their Mamelodi Sundowns themed song in a language of their choice, including Xu and Khwe, could walk away with a whopping R1 million. I’m really looking forward to seeing lives transform and dreams coming true through this amazing project.

How do you think Mamelodi Sundowns maintains consistency?

The club has always invested in the best players in the world, they have great structures, an amazing coach, a great technical team and more importantly, they have a bevy of fans who fully support them through thick and thin. In recent years, they’ve rewarded them with 9 PSL titles, a CAF champions league and a CAF super cup title, amongst many other other accolades.

50 years of the the club, has this impacted your career in any way?

50 years of Masandawana has produced several players such as Percy Tau, Keagan Dolly and Bongani Zungu who now play in some of the top leagues in Europe. The club has empowered people on and off the pitch. The current Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi was a provincial finalist of the Miss Mamelodi Sundowns pageant, that just shows the brand is more than just about football.

 

Follow Mamelodi Sundowns!

Instagram: @sundownsfc

Twitter: @Masandawana

Facebook: @sundownsfc

Website: http://www.sundownsfc.co.za

 

-Bridgette Makhela 

Stonebwoy On Anloga Junction Album, South African Collaborations And Beyond

Stonebwoy / 32 / Artist, Performer & Composer

Describe Stonebwoy and the love for music?

Stonebwoy is an African from Ghana. A multi-international award-winning artist, a performer and composer. I am a very talented musical genius, blending Dancehall and Reggae styles with Afrobeats, it is termed ‘AfroDancehall’. Born Livingstone Etse Satekla, music is my life and I love my life.

You create Afropop, Reggae and Dancehall music, what’s your favourite genre to create and why?

My style is actually a combination of all the above mentioned, to form a single body, so I can confidently say my favourite thing is to create all 3-in-1, termed as AfroDancehall. All the genres of music beautifully intertwined, have the same roots which make them not so widely different.

You’ve worked with South African artists such as AKA, Nasty C and Cassper Nyovest, do you listen to SA music? If so, what’s your favourite thing about the music/artists?

South African music is smooth, with its naturally fast and mid tempos that come with a lot of very creative dances to match. I love to listen to music across Anglophone, Lusophone and Francophone lines, so I can easily relate SA music. My favourite thing about SA music is the swing it comes with, derived from the tone of languages and the artistes are unique in their styles. SA has a very diverse culture, which is beautiful.

Your new single ‘Bow Down’ sees you collaborating with Nasty C, what’s the story behind the collaboration?

Nasty C was the best choice for a rhythm like that, when I heard it I knew we could create some magical with the guidance of producer iPappi Beats from Ghana. The song was recorded at my home studio in Ghana, we made under 2 hours, from scratch! We are yet to put a video together after the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s a major project for the Anloga Junction album.

You’ve collaborated with top artists all over the world, how much personal and musical growth happens with each collaboration?

I’ve collaborated with great artists worldwide, personal musical connections have been brewed with each connect, with some relationships going beyond the music and turning into family and real friends. Like they say, real recognize real and the bond there off.

Why call your new album ‘Anloga Junction’?

The idea behind calling my album Anloga Junction is to give it identity as an African album from Ghana. The name of the town I hail from is Anloga, where Anlo is the dialect spoken and the same name defines my ethnicity.

How did the collaboration with Keri Hilson come about? Should we expect more collabs in the future?

The collaboration with Keri Hilson was meant to happen, it wasn’t planned though, only thought of and that’s why everything came together beautifully. A friend of mine met Keri on a flight and it all began there. We exchanged numbers and followed up when I went to the States for a tour. She invited me over to her studios, where the legendary award-winning producer, Andre Dre Harris was present. and we all made it happen. Yes there’s definitely a few more coming up.

How does it feel to be inducted into the Grammy Museum Sounds of Africa exhibit?

To be included in such a prestigious exhibition is proof that my hard work and contribution to the music scene is recognized globally.

What do you believe is the future of African music or Afrobeats?

The future of African music or Afrobeats is there for us the creative to speak about our history, our stories and spread the African agenda in our compositions. I’ve come to realize that this is lacking in our creative content and that is the future.

With not being able to travel due to the pandemic, what is the future looking like for you? What message do you have for your South African fans who were looking  forward to meeting you on tour in SA?

The future is still very bright, though there’s a lock down happening and the world is facing this global pandemic, I trust that there’s hope for the people of the world. Let’s turn to our maker in these times and let’s all keep to the protocols of keeping safe from this deadly virus.

Any live streaming performances for your fans during the lock down?

During this lock down I’ve done a few virtual charity concerts and pushed my store via merchandise and also pushing my album. I’ve continued to use social media to keep in touch with my fans.

How has lock down affected you as an artist?

Lock down has affected the whole world and we are finding newer means to keep pushing our work out and interacting with our fans.

 

Follow Stonebwoy!

Instagram: @stonebwoyb

Twitter: @stonebwoyb

Facebook: @stonebwoyburniton

YouTube: Stonebwoy

 

-Bridgette Makhela