Times Of Swaziland: HLOBI TURNS TO  MUSIC INDUSTRY

HLOBI TURNS TO  MUSIC INDUSTRY
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BY NHLANHLA MATHUNJWA on 26/09/2013 01:34:00


MBABANE - Former Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs and Pigg’s Peak
Member of Parliament (MP) Hlobisile Ndlovu has decided to manage various artists
in the country.
Ndlovu is currently looking at registering her own company that would be in
charge of some of the local artists.
The former MP who failed to make it through to the Secondary Elections after
failing to get impressive votes during the Primary Elections said she has
discovered that the country has a lot of talent that needs to be unveiled.
She said after spending time in the ministerial position, she discovered that
there were a number of people who had talent and would shine in the music
industry.
In an interview, Ndlovu said as someone who had decided to be involved in the
entertainment industry, she thought it would be a good thing to own a recording
company.
“I have since decided that I should begin by managing artists. I am one person
who believes in the potential the local artists have and taking them to another
level is one thing that I believe in.  I believe the country has the potential
of shining in as far as the music industry is concerned,” she said.
She said while managing artists, she would also be looking at registering her
own company.
“As someone who has since decided to be involved in the music industry, I
think it is proper that I own a recording company and this is something that has
to happen soon. At the moment I would be concentrating on the few artists that I
happen to have spotted. I need to make sure that my artists are well recorded
and also get proper deals which include gigs that are in and outside the
country,” she said.
Ndlovu said there were a few artists she hoped to be working with in the near
future.
“My intention is to help local artists to be recognised even in other
countries. We have the potential of producing the best artists and my intention
is to make things happen,” she said.
She said at the moment the artists she would be managing would be artists she
has personally identified adding that as time goes on, she would then decide on
representing others who are interested in her services.
... Rihaga the first artist under her wing
MBABANE – Hlobisile Ndlovu has already identified the first artist to manage.
Upcoming local soloist Khanyisile Ngomane, known as Rihaga, is the first artist
to be managed by the former minister. Ndlovu and the artist have agreed to work
together. Ndlovu has managed to find a recording deal for Rihaga. Three weeks
ago, Rihaga was in South Africa to record her latest album which is produced by
Salaelo Selota who happens to be one of the top South African producers.
Selota produces a number of well-known artists and these include Judith Sepuma.
The album is expected to be released before the end of the year. Ndlovu said
after talking to Selota during Rihaga’s recording, she was advised to manage
the artist herself.
“Selota told me to manage the artist saying after the recording she would be
one of the best artists as she has the potential to sing good music,” she
said. Ndlovu said she would definitely see to it that the whole recording
process becomes a success. “This is my first project to manage and I have to
see to it that everything is done accordingly. As a seasoned producer, I believe
Selota will do a good job which will be loved by many,” she said.
Rihaga confirmed that she has already started recording her album. “So far, I
am happy with the whole process. I am expected to leave in the next two weeks as
that is when I am booked for the studio. I have been told that the album would
be released before the end of the year,” she said.