When it comes to entrepreneurial endeavours, the Okalongo kwaito star, Bantu seems to favour quantity, but his sheer ubiquity and imagination is worth noting.
After debuting his music career in 2008, the Kafeendona hitmaker has continued to go from strength to strength, not only harnessing his music career but also his other business moves.
“I focus on the modern way of doing business, that is why I place innovation and creativity and the centre of business as opposed to the traditional way of doing things,” said the 37-year-old singer.
Bantu, who recently established his multipurpose company called WaBantu Innovation and Development, is perhaps the best place to begin a discussion of artist-entrepreneurs.
WaBantu is a group of enterprises with a focus on innovation, product development, events management, recreations, music, and entertainment.
Although WaBantu was established during the time of economic difficulties faced by the Covid-19 pandemic that brought about business lockdowns and other restrictions, Bantu noted that they had sufficient time to re-adjust their focus, model, create partnerships and work out the whole administration plan for the business.
“We wish to become the preferred local innovation businesses that offer sustainable, competitive, and innovative business solutions whilst engaging and expanding stakeholders’ relationships,” he said.
Since the launch of the business, WaBantu has been selected as a Start-Up business by the Namibia Commission of Research, Science, and Technology (NCSRT) to participate in the virtual SA Innovation Summit that happened late last year.
According to him, the team has also managed to release an album that was launched last year and has been receiving massive airplay on various platforms.
“Thus far, we have also collaborated with various decorated local brands to host many entertainment events in Windhoek and the northern part of Namibia,” he said.
Bantu further indicated that through their record label, they have managed to sign a couple of local artists such as Flame and AG Leo while also scouting for talent across the country.
“We have identified various talented artists whom we currently work together on a few items and once we finalise the agreements, we shall mention them,” he added.
The key to success is never settling for what you have now, but striving for more in the future.
Bantu envisions a future where his business standards and products will get recognition at the global level.