Zenzele back with renewed vigour

GASEBALWE SERETSE
Staff Write | Wednesday September 8, 2010 00:00

 

Hirschfeld, who is one of the most respected music promoters in the country, told Showbiz that she took a break from the industry to concentrate on her personal life.

'I decided to take a break because I felt that it was necessary that I concentrated on my personal life and I also had plenty of time to do my bit as an executive member of BOMU (the Botswana Musicians Union),' she said in an interview.

The promoter relocated to the tourist town of Maun and her absence was felt by many by entertainment lovers because the popular sizzling shows that she used to organise came to a halt.

Although Hirschfeld would not be drawn into discussing why she relocated, a local tabloid mentioned that she had a relationship with a tycoon in Maun.Hirschfeld further told Showbiz that nowadays, her company concentrates on organising corporate events, which means that people would not see much of her.'As a corporate event organiser, this means that I have to sell the companies that engage me, therefore people will see less of me and my company,' she said adding that this is the image that they are currently concentrating on as Zen Promotions.

Hirschfeld said that since when she broke into the music industry, she built hype around herself and her company, some tend to think that because she has been silent it means that her company has closed shop, which is not true. 'Back then, we needed to brand ourselves as Zen Promotions and we feels we have successfully done so; so there is need for growth,' she pointed out.

Recently, Zen Promotions, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Clinton Foundation engaged artists and sports personalities in a malaria awareness project called Malaria Advocacy Programme, which seeks to eliminate the disease by 2015. One of the primary objectives of the campaign is to involve local celebrities in the fight against malaria in Botswana.

Hirschfeld said that although her company is now concentrating on corporate shows, they plan to stage at least three outdoor gigs that will attract big names such as Mafikizolo and Bujo Mujo from neighbouring South Africa as a token of appreciation.'I really appreciate the support that Batswana have been giving me since the inception of Zen Promotions and these shows will be my way of saying, 'thank you' to them', she asserted.

She further said that her company is also affiliated with Exclusive Management Services from South Africa, which manages Mafikizolo, Theo Kgosinkwe  and Bongo Maffin and House Therapy Records (also from South Africa), which manages the likes of Bujo Mujo, Andile and DJ TK. As head of Zen Promotion, Hirschfeld is forced to wear many hats doing music promotion, music agency, artists' management and bookings, which, she says, always keeps her on her toes.