Times Of Swaziland: LESERATO EVENTS STILL SELLING NOTHANDO CDS

LESERATO EVENTS STILL SELLING NOTHANDO CDS
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BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA on 09/10/2019 00:43:00


MBABANE- Business continues as usual for local events and artist management
company Leserato Events.
After publicly parting ways with Eswatini renowned gospel artist Nothando
Hlophe, the entity has left many questioning after a post which advertised
Hlophe’s ‘Live in Soweto’ album CD and DVD combo and ‘Imphilo Yami’ CD
at E200.
The post was by one of the officials of Leserato Events.
Statement
Hlophe parted ways with the entertainment entity about two months ago in a
statement that was made public. The statement read that the decision was based
solely on the fact that it was no longer serving both parties (Leserato Events
and Hlophe) to perform on their contract, as both parties expectations were no
longer aligned as they were in the past.
Leserato Events Manager Lerato Mtshali clearly stated that despite the
‘break-up’, they were still entitled to Hlophe’s material.
“Leserato currently owns all the recorded material released under the
recording pillar of the business including the one in question and will continue
to promote the material to recoup the investment made on the recording,” said
Mtshali.
Mtshali also stated that the ownership extended to awards that have been entered
with the material that she had while she was under their entity. “What had
primarily changed is that Leserato is no longer involved in any performances by
the artists and any direction taken for the artist’s brand positioning.
Quality
“Leserato only guarantees the quality of the recorded material only, because
of the input they had when the recording was done,” she said.
For further clarification on the selling of Hlophe’s material, Leserato Events
was clearly defined as a recording company, an artist management company, and an
events management company.
“These are distinct functions which are sometimes carried out
simultaneously,” said Mtshali.
She also said that it was possible to record an artist they did not manage, and
to manage an artist they did not record. “It is not a prerequisite to manage
an artist for them to be a recording artist under the stable, artists can manage
their performances and bookings as they wish and remain responsible for their
career development,” she said.
When contacted for comment, the ‘Khulu’ugcobo’ hit maker said she was not
aware that her material was currently being advertised on social media
platforms.
She refused to comment any further.
Albums
Under Leserato Events, Hlophe got to be part of Spirit of Praise (Volume 6 and
7), and she recorded two live albums which were released in 2016 and 2019. She
also released several smash hits including ‘Khulul’ugcobo’,
‘Sekukaningi’, ‘Impilo yami’, ‘Yebo’, ‘Uyangilwela’, and many
more.