Filed under: African HotSpot, Music
Zola – Kwaito King and Businessman Extraodinaire!
None Found
Related Stories
- March 19, 2010Sila and the AFrofunk Experience Win NAACP Image Award
- March 19, 2010Leila Djansi teams up with Jimmy Jean-Louis on ‘Sinking Sands’
- March 18, 20102010 Africa Business Conference and Trade Fair
- See all stories
Recent Stories
Zola, born Bonginkosi Dlamini, took his name from Zola, the slum where he grew up. He got the bantu system of education but didn’t let that slow him down. Putting together a blend of hiphop, gospel, zulu and sotho music, he came up with a magical mix of music, dubbed Kwaito, that helped launch him into the limelight. His first album sold 180,000 copies and attained triple platinum status in less than a year. His future albums are still selling well. In 2003, Zola joined forces with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to do a reality show called ‘Zola 7‘. It helps people realize their dreams of fame and fortune. The show has become so popular that he is now taking it to Botswana, Nigeria, Lesotho, and Namibia. In 2004 he launched a clothing label featuring his logo, Zola 7. It is a popular line that can be found in several stores throughout South Africa. In
Zola is a savvy businessman who has brokered a deal with Cell C, the third largest cellular network in South Africa, to provide a special phone geared towards Zola fans. Dubbed Hola 7, it gives fans information, ringtones, a poster, and membership to the Hola 7 club. Fans can interact with Zola through updates and special competitions. Pure genius! They can also get into concerts and other events that Zola is involved in at a discount if they show their Hola 7 phones. It is a brilliant marketing move on Zola’s part, and a smart investment by Cell C. One can only wonder what his next move is going to be.
His humanitarian work has included being appointed the Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF in 2006 and he has lent his voice to a call for a weapons ban in South Africa. HE is dedicated to helping the less fortunate move forward and upward and works on many projects that help him realize that goal. Recognized as the Kwaito King, he is sure to keep us dancing for years to come. Not a bad life for one who came from the Zola slums.
7 Responses to “Zola – Kwaito King and Businessman Extraodinaire!”
Babie says:
December 24th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
At first i would like to thank ZOLA for the good work that he’s doing for the African people then secondly i would like to say you are the best well done with the excellent job that you are doing.I wish you the best in the future may GOD bless you.God gave you the nice heart because he knew that you can use it in a right way and its better for you because you can use it unlike other people who got talents but there are playing with them good for you.NOMA KANJANI ZIWU 7.XXX sandra ngwenya.
londani says:
January 29th, 2008 at 4:49 am
I LOVE YOU ZOLA.you are an inspiration to young people and i love what you do.people like myself look up to you. i am your number one fan.
mary says:
May 8th, 2008 at 2:38 am
your film is really inspiring and my hope is to also do a similar progam in my home country zimbabwe
momo says:
June 25th, 2008 at 7:48 am
papers writes many thing said by people, but don’t be descouraged bro. what about people that want to say good things about you. Keep being a good father to your kids & the whole world. I wish you could write a book & let me know surely i will b the first to buy and keep it for the day i have children. Keep up and keep the gift God gave you.
Duducpt says:
January 17th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Hi Zola bhuti wam, my name is Dudu I’m from Cape Town I’m 32 years young. I love what you do for others I would like you to be my mentor. You are a businessman so I believe you the correct person to mentor me. I have a couple of ideas but I just don’t know where to start. If you can make contact on the e-mail address I’ve had to give to write my plead to you, that would be great.
lwazi says:
May 16th, 2009 at 7:37 am
E bra Z7, I do like u so much and always wish to be like you,I know I can do it but after a while. boss,so far I need ur help to be successfully in life,I have a talent on singing kwaito and sengibhale about 10 songs kodwa angina forward step, I know I can do it but after ur commitment on helping me.I wanna connect with you boss. LOVE U-LIKE U.
By Lwazi from Ingwavuma eManyiseni.(unizul student)
Kwazi says:
May 20th, 2009 at 4:00 am
Zola i really like your music it motivates me,and i will enjoy hear the next new album. thanks
LEAVE A COMMENT