MUSICIAN and businessman Thando Sambo has been working hard to assist up-and-coming artists in Mpumalanga.
The 35-year-old told Daily Sun that after his music career didn’t go as he wished, he had to give back to the community, especially in rural areas around Mpumalanga.
Thando, the founder of Sambo Records, said he started the label in March this year and launched it on Wednesday, 19 October.
He said he realised that there was a lot of talent in his area, and he had to do what he could to see them prosper.
“I was a musician back in 2003. I was always in love with music, but things didn’t go as planned,” he said.
He said he travelled to Joburg in 2003 during the school holidays with his friends to submit his music at radio stations, but it didn’t work out.
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“It’s all about who you know in this industry. It wasn’t easy as we thought what we see on TV is the same as in real life as artists,” he said.
Thando said this broke his heart as he thought he would get recognised for his talent.
“We slept in the streets for days as we were hoping someone would give us a chance. But no one even recognised us,” he said.
Thando said they went back to Mpumalanga so they could finish up their matric.
“The next year I tried to enrol at Wits University for music studies. I did the auditions, but I didn’t have money for registration,” he said.
The said he had to go back home and opted to study engineering at a college.
“I studied electrical engineering in Nkangala FET from 2005. I finished my studies and went to look for a job,” he said.
The businessman said he managed to find a job and now he’s helping others follow their passion in music.
“As I didn’t get to live my dreams, I saw the need to help those that need me to reach their dreams. So, under my label Sambo Records, we are here to help new talent be seen out there,” he said.
Thando said they already have five artists: two men and three women.
“There are many people who are already sending us demos so we can hear them out. I am happy that I can make other people’s dreams come true,” he said.
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Thando said he is already doing workshops where he shares his plans and his struggles with talented people in schools.
“I have many invitations from different schools. They want to be part of us, and we also want to help them with anything, and we wish to get support from different event organisers so those with talent can perform,” he said.
