Covid-19 leads music producer to farming
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it and for some people to survive, they have to do something they have never done before.
A local music producer, art director and marketing manager Hlayisani Malungana from Zava village in Dzumeri outside Giyani is now a start-up farmer.
Malungana, who is affectionately known as Dj Gami Swaga, now has a farming company called Muroho Pty Ltd.
He is known for his hit songs Babalaas and Tamatisoso which both won Xitsonga Best House Song awards hosted by Munghana Lonene FM.
The songs were also nominated in other music awards, in the Babalaas song he featured Xipanere.
“With the pandemic hitting the industry harshly last year, I decided to farm from my backyard in order for my community to get fruit and vegetables easier with the challenges of the lockdown regulations,” he said.
Although the idea of farming came as a result of Covid-19, Malungana told Herald that he enjoys the new venture.
He grows muroho, tomatoes, beetroot, onions, green peppers, spinach, carrots, chillies, maize and all vegetables required by the households in the area.
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“It is easy for me to manage both music and farming because I love both my jobs from my heart.
“One is food for the soul (music) and the other is food for the stomach (farming),” said Malungana.
He said due to the prohibiting entertainment activities of Covid-19 regulations, he was not able to make a living through his music career.
He thanked his community for the support they have given him in his farming venture.
“People have been supportive and the community appreciated that they were able to source enough affordable high-quality produce closer to home.
“We have expanded the farm this year and now supply our produce in bulk from Muroho Pty Ltd.
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The quality is good as I have been able to apply the experience, skills and knowledge from fellow farmers,” he said.
His love for music started at an early age, He told Herald that his stage name comes from his love for musical instruments.
“I derived my name, G.A.M.I, from it. It stands for Get A Musical Instrument,” he said.
After matriculating from Ndhambi High School in 2002, Malungani studied sound engineering at Birnam Business College.
He is currently featured in a song called Maria, produced by J.John ft Sime Free.
“The song is inspirational and uplifting and has since taken over the airwaves,” he said.
