Using art to fight coronavirus
The name Dorothy Shonga is not known in the music industry. However, a few days ago, she came on top as she funded a project of songs about coronavirus (Covid-19), bringing together six other artists. She funded the project to the tune of K3 million. Our arts reporter BRIAN ITAI wanted to know more about Shonga and her interest in the art of music.
Q
: Who is Dorothy Shonga?
A
: Dorothy Shonga is an award-winning Malawian entrepreneur and business woman who owns D.C Brand Cloud, a local branding and marketing company. She was awarded the best dressed woman and business woman of the year at the 2019 STARQT Awards in South Africa. She is a Taurus, has three children; two boys and one girl.
Q
: What is your story in relation to the arts, especially music?
A
: As a child I wanted to be a musician. I remember mimicking local artists like Lucius Banda and international acts like Westlife. I was passionate and I worked with some local producers some time back, but I did not have the necessary support so I was discouraged but the passion for it has never died.
Q
: What does the DC Brand represent and when was it formed?
A
: D.C Brand Cloud was established in May 2018. It is located in Lilongwe along Chilambura Road [Paul Kagame Highway] opposite MBC at Glassco Complex. Currently, it is a brainchild that was born out of my experience in freelance marketing and branding. The company owns top of the range banner, sublimation, heat press, offset and screen-printing production machines. It is one of the branding companies that own an in-house production department to control quality. D.C Brand cloud has a team of 14 well trained employees who are experienced in marketing, advertising, promotions, event management, public relations and advocacy.
Q
: You took part and funded the music project on coronavirus awareness, what significance do you attach to such a cause?
A
: D.C Brand Cloud has committed its resources to restructure the house and take a unique strategic direction in regards to its operations and with these changes new grounds will emerge. Part of the fresh approaches is to engage in corporate social responsibility initiatives that aim at improving people’s livelihoods. The first of its kind is the full sponsorship of the 2MTR coronavirus awareness campaign to a value of K5.8 million.
The campaign is being promoted by a track called Tigonjetse Corona which was done in partnership with six local Malawian artists. The song features Kell Kay, Tay Grin, Suffix, Janta, Macelba, a Lilongwe up-and-coming hip-hop artist Boy Hidden and Dorothy ‘Cashie Madam’ Shonga herself. The song was produced by Henwood, the music video was directed by Ubwino and Khala Café at Four Seasons Centre.
These musicians and our dear friends have sacrificed their time and effort to give back to the nation. It’s not easy to work towards something that doesn’t bring monetary reward, but they understand the value of social responsibility and the people who are affected out there are their fans and customers whom the artists and some of the businesses love, so this was organic for them.
We have used our experience as a company in mobilisation, advocacy and sensitisation to promote primary health prevention measures that are imperative in these unprecedented times. We believe music is also the necessary entertainment and fun for those that are practising social and physical distancing to help them to cope.
As a Malawian, I understand the important job that the government does every day, it might not be perfect but to be honest the government cannot do everything and it’s our duty as responsible citizens to partner with the government through our own initiatives and resources and contribute where we can.
I am proud and grateful to have been part of such an amazing initiative and I call for everyone to help the government and its stakeholders in these challenging times. Trust me, we will sing our away out this virus if everyone supports the instructions given by our health experts.
Q
: Previously, which other local music artists have you worked with?
A
: It’s funny nobody knows this, but I actually was the first person who signed Shammah Vocals in 2018. We had agreed on a five-year deal and in that time I took him on a networking tour of East Africa where he worked with Diamond Platinumz on some unreleased projects and shot a music video of the song Diary in Uganda. The contract was dissolved after Shammah Vocals became a born-again Christian and devoted his art to gospel music which at the time I did not have the connections and experience to promote.
Q
: Going forward, what should music lovers expect from your company?
A
: D.C Brand Cloud is not a record label, but a branding and marketing company. We want to use our experience in promotions and events management to host and organise world class concerts, local shows, promotional events and awards in the music industry. We are also planning to invest in research to understand better artist management; we want to be the Roc Nation of Southern Africa, especially Malawi and Zambia. The dream is to manage artists making sure they have investments, endorsements and a large following that can also allow us to maximise our business.
Q
: Anything you would like the nation to know about you and your ambitions?
A
: I work in the creative industry and I aim at giving a platform to young creators in music production, graphic design and content writing to blend all kind of art to marketing, branding and advertising. My number one ambition is to empower girls, children and women socially and economically through programmes aimed at improving livelihoods. I want to be a philanthropist and investor in the later stages of my life, more focused on building others than acquiring wealth. n
