MFUNDO SHEZA: FROM BUS DRIVER, HOMELESS TO MUSIC PRODUCER

Born in Swaziland, Elwandle, Manzini Mfundo Shekwa is a 31-year-old Metrorail Train Driver from Sharpeville in the Vaal west of Johannesburg. He is an interesting and fast growing entrepreneur who uses his off days from work as a train driver to unearth and groom musical talent.

 Mfundo fell in love with the music industry at the age of 20 when he was send by his father from Swaziland, Moneni in Manzini to South Africa Barberton, Mpumalanga in 2001 where his guardianship was handed over to Mr Ray Phiri also known as ‘Stimela’ a South African legendary musician who helped shape the South African Music Industry.
Mfundo was mentored every day for three years by Phiri, whose intention was to turn him into a musical genius.

“Working with Ray Phiri was an honour and I still use his methods when creating my music, he’s been doing music for over 40 years but one will be surprised that he is still trying to better himself musically.
“He is a perfectionist who doesn’t mind doing a song a 1 000 times over just to get it perfect” he says.

Interest

Little did he know that Mfundo’s interest in music was less from writing, producing and singing, his love for music was different instead of doing music Mfundo is able to identify good music.
As a  musician he has interest in grooming the talented musicians’ brands, professionally known as a ‘A&R’ Artist and Repertoire.

Musical

After three years of musical growth with Ray Phiri, Mfundo went back to Swaziland to be with his family and worked there as a bricklayer for a construction company.
In 2006 Mfundo’s entrepreneur’s mind set and interests ate him up emotionally and this time the dream forced  him to leave the comfort of  home and this time permanently  go in search of his dream  career and also to full- fill his dream of owning his own record company.

Stranded

“I only  had E200 in my  pocket when I left Swaziland  and found myself stranded and trying to survive the harsh  streets of Johannesburg, the only thing I had was a toilet space from a BP Garage in Alberton east of Johannesburg where I  slept for the whole month working as a petrol attendant while submitting CVs to look for my first break” says Mfundo. 
Mfundo got a  job in a leaner-ship with Metrorail where he never looked back till this day.

Stable

With this stable job and income opportunity, Mfundo was able to use his free time to continue his musical dreams.
“In 2013 I registered a company with CIBRO and started to pioneer my dream” he smiles, as he looks down memory lane.

Mfundo  is now a proud owner of ASHTRAY Entertainment an indie record label with a fast growing signing capacity and musical strength, ASHTRAY Entertainment now houses six up and coming artists namely Sgazo, Kena, Ghetto Villa, Roy and Ndr these young talented man are from South Africa and some from Swaziland.

Overwhelming

“The team is in the studio perfecting their two singles ‘Inhlanhla Leyo’ which ASHTRAY Entertainment is in talks for a feature with a Skwatta Kamp group member FLABBA and ‘Ungangiboni Ngi Nje’  which also will feature F-ezzy and Pitch Black Afro. The opportunities we are receiving from the SA music industry are very much overwhelming and my team will grow to impress and entertain the South African market, giving them excitement to want to party again and again” says Mfundo.

“I have done a lot of odd jobs from being a bricklayer, bus driver, petrol attendant you name it all I have probably  done it.

Busy

“Now  I am busy shooting two videos for the tracks ‘Ungangiboni nginje’ and ‘iNhlanhla leyo’. This first two singles will be out on radio this Valentine’s day,” he said.

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