Fungai Muderere
SOUTH Africa-based Zimbabwe music producer DJ Zwesta, real name, Zwelihle Mathe, is among many artists across the Limpopo River who are feeling the negative effects of the extended Covid-19 lockdown, has had on the arts industry.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, just like his Zimbabwean counterpart President Mnangagwa, recently extended his country’s 21-day lockdown by 14 days up to the end of this month, suggesting that the lockdown had helped limit the spread of Covid-19.
In an interview from his base in East London, the dreadlocked DJ Zwesta, a former Mzingwane High and Hlangabeza High Schools pupil, said it was a pity that most radio stations in neighbouring Mzansi were on auto pilot owing to the lockdown.
“At the moment, as artists we can’t get our musical projects sampled because most radio stations here South Africa are auto pilot. We can’t even promote our latest offerings or go for interviews courtesy of the lockdown, let alone live shows,” said Dj Zwesta.
DJ Zwesta recently worked hand in glove with forgotten urban groover Otis Ngwabi on a house song titled Buyisela.
Bulawayo-born Ngwabi, who made waves on the local music scene with hits such as Ndiwe , relocated to South Africa some six years ago and has been in and out of the music scene.
