12 Oct 2017

Dubbed the queen of showbiz in Botswana, Zenzele Hirschfeld is set to add another milestone to her impressive catalogue of achievements, as she is set to premier in a documentary about her 16 years in the creative industry on October 25 at Masa Capitol Cinema.

With October 25 also doubling up as her birthday, Zenzele will also host an after party at My Kind of Place (MKOP) in Riverwalk to further cement her unquestionable influence in a male dominated industry.

Speaking at a press briefing, renowned radio personality and Zenzele’s uncle, Shima Monageng said Zenzele had proven to be a cut above the rest and that her track record spoke volumes.

“Zenzele is a woman of substance and she is the epitome of perseverance and hard work. Whatever she touches turns into gold,” he said.

He said when Zenzele came into the business with Zen Promotions it was apparent that she was aiming to be at the top of the pile and not just be a regular in the industry.

“She is an incredible young lady and we sincerely thank her for sharing her journey and story with us. Zenzele has set the bar very high for herself and everyone that looks up to her and she is going to ascend even higher,” said Monageng.

Mmakgosi Tau, a poet of repute and one of the many friends and colleagues of Zenzele, said Zenzele had taught her the value of time and how to manage it.

“Zenzele’s power is her ability to see the value in people and she doesn’t look down on anyone. Her life has been an evolution of wonder,” she said.

She noted that Zenzele was an avid believer in God and that when someone invites God into their life, everything works out for the best.

“Everything she does has God at the centre and she was bound to be this amazing woman who has been the backbone of showbiz in Botswana. Zenzele has a grace about her that many have not been able to identify but I have,” said Mmakgosi.

She further said Zenzele was a great teacher and that she had learnt a great deal from her.

Some of the artists that Zenzele manages also had the chance to speak about her and what kind of person she was.

Mandla from Eskimos said Zenzele was very strict and has a demanding work ethic.

“Over the years people have been asking how we manage to deal with her, and I have told them that her strictness and no nonsense attitude always comes from a good place and is meant to keep us on the straight and narrow so we achieve what we have set out to achieve,” said Mandla.

He said it was sad that Zenzele does not get the recognition she deserves from the industry and Botswana.

“I am very pleased that we have a lot of women here today to show support to their own and we need more of this. It is hard enough that Zenzele has made giant leaps in this industry that is male dominated. We need more women to rally behind her and support her,” he said.

Ban T also had a few words about Zenzele and said before he met her he was being managed by his mother, but that after his Naomi song blew up his mother was not able to keep up with bookings and everything else, hence Zenzele’s name came up.

“We started working with each other from last year and I should give credit to Zenzele for pushing me because there were days I felt like quitting, but she stood firm and guided me through everything so far,” said Ban T.

 For her part, the lady of the moment said she got into the industry not to make friends, but to rather sell brands and make business.

“I never regretted being a woman in this industry and I believe in setting trends,” she said.

She indicated that on October 27, she would also host a Queens Ball at Chez Nicolas.

Zenzele said she gets worried when the media reports on issues relating to artists looking to broaden their horizon away from Zen Promotions as a negative thing.

“I consider myself and Zen Promotions to be a ministry and the University of Life. Headlines that seem to depict sour feelings between me and artists who happen to leave are wrong. I would never hold anyone who feels the need to broaden their horizons back. I am a teacher and a nurturer,” she said.ENDS