Leading SA Artists Share Their Valuable LockDown Lessons

As the country slowly emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic, it is time to reflect on lessons learned and how to plan for a sustainable career and future. This statement was echoed by many of South Africa’s entertainment giants who have featured in the Old Mutual’s AMPD Studios Live series. 

Speaking in the ninth episode of  Old Mutual’s  AMPD Studios Live series showing on MTV Base and BET, artists, including Pops Mahomed, Amanda Black, Sipho Hostix Mabuse, Tresor, Heavy K, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, and Kwesta pointed out that the national lockdown and ban on live performances had resulted in a devastating impact on their incomes and has slowed down their careers.

However, all pointed out that the Covid-19 pandemic also brought opportunities and valuable life experiences. Their consensus was that:

• It is crucial to realise that financial plans must be made for the bad times, which can occur suddenly and with devastating effect.
• It pays to diversify so that an income stream does not depend solely on a single activity.
• That social media can provide opportunities to keep a stalled career on track by learning new marketing skills. 
• Adversity opens opportunities to assist others who may be worse off.
• Forced inactivity can be used to examine your life, fight your fears, find new activities, and create new platforms for the future.

Adding to their experiences and advice, John Manyike, Head of Financial Education at Old Mutual, says that the factors required for developing a solid, lifelong relationship with money include realising that:

• Money management means having a long-term, medium-term, and short-term strategy. Having rainy day savings is essential he says, but points out that rainy days, like the Covid-19 pandemic can last a long time, so being prepared for contingencies with a balanced investment portfolio is the way to build a future and a legacy.
• Leading a realistic, balanced lifestyle and ‘paying yourself first’ is the way to build a sound future.
• Budgeting and knowing the difference between what you want and what you need will ensure that money is spent on assets rather than costly, continuously devaluing luxuries.
• Managing money is a business that deserves attention and professional advice. Keeping ahead means having experts to guide and advise on a diversified investment platform.

“Life is full of unexpected events and hardships. The only way to not only survive but prosper is to think ahead and make plans for a time when you cannot work or want to retire. Taking time to assess personal and family needs is what builds a comfortable future,” he says.

As the Old Mutual AMPD Live series on DStv approaches its tenth and final episode, audiences are in for a treat with double act of greatness.

On September 30 an exceptional AMPD Icon Hero conversation webinar was live streamed with none other than Caiphus Semenya and Riky Rick. These iconic music legends had a once in a lifetime raw and unfiltered conversation about their own personal experiences, lessons and guidance on how to make it big and survive in the music industry. 

81-year-old Caiphus Semenya the South African composer and musician who is married to equally legendary Letta Mbulu will take centre stage. A winner of multiple awards, including being nominated for an Oscar award in 1986 for Best Original Score for the film The Color Purple, Semenya has worked with legends who include Quincy Jones, Lou Rawls, Nina Simone, and Cannonball Adderley. He also arranged the Swahili chant in the intro to Michael Jackson’s “Liberian Girl” from the 1987 Bad album. After many years in Los Angeles in the USA, he returned to South Africa where he has received many honours including an honorary doctorate from UNISA.

Ikhado Makhado, known professionally as Riky Rick, is a South African rapper, songwriter, singer, composer, actor, entrepreneur, fashion designer and the founder and owner of the record label “Cotton Club Records”. He rose to fame when he released his single “Nafukwa”, in 2014. 

To see this this incredible AMPD Icons Hero Conversation webinar recording go to www.ampdstudios.co.za

In addition, that evening an epic final episode of AMPD LIVE featured on MTV BASE (DSTV Channel 322) at 21h30 and then was repeated again on BET (DStv channel 129).  In this outstanding final episode, audiences got to witness an incredible tribute to Caiphus, where never heard before, Kwesta, Tresor, Amanda Black, Bongeziwe Mabandla, The Mahotella Queens and legendary drummer, Vusi Khumalo (Paul Simon’s drummer on Graceland) perform an outstanding rendition of Matswale, produced by Tresor, to honour this true legend of South African music