Waving The Zimbabwean Flag High In Cape Town Business

Julius Munyaradzi Shamu

Today I am proud and excited to feature in an interview my brother, Julius who heads Shamstone Production in Cape Town South Africa. Without further ado, let's get right into it!

Who is Julius Munyaradzi Shamu?

Julius Munyaradzi Shamu is a proud husband, father, friend, brother, soccer coach, business associate, Director, CEO and Founder of Shamstone Production & Entertainment based in Cape Town.

What was the inspiration behind the formation of the company?

The inspiration behind Shamstone Productions was for the need to unite our fellow Zimbabwean compatriots in the diaspora by offering quality entertainment, festivals, gatherings and special events. In 2006 we formed a non-profit organisation called the Zimforum with the likes of Dr David Katerere and Dr Havana Chikoto, whose sole mandate was for social gatherings. Unfortunately the Zimforum did not survive for long.

Cape Shooters?

In 2009, we formed a soccer team called Cape Shooters, whose sole mandate was for the development of sport within our Zimbabwe Cape Town community. As founder and head coach, I have managed to sustain the team and we have done well in the league that we participate in. Although we haven’t won any medals yet we have managed to reach semi-finals of the competition. Our team has grown from strength to strength and have 40 registered players.

Interesting...

The love of music and bringing people together for networking inspired me to start my company Shamstone Production & Entertainment (Pty Ltd) with the aim of offering the upcoming artists a platform to showcase their talent.  It is from this background that I started organising events. As an entrepreneur I did not only want to concentrate on music only but diversifying into special events.
My first event was the Miss Zimbabwe Cape Town 2013. The event was successful with a turnout of about 220 guests. It was also aired on Cape Town TV. The event also featured upcoming Zimbabwe artists and DJs based in Cape Town. I also hosted the Couple’s Valentine’s Party Feb 2013, Zim@34 Family Day Independence Celebrations April 2013, and Women’s Day August 2013.

Which of the events that you have done so far are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the Miss Zimbabwe Cape Town 2013, Zim@34 Family Day Celebrations and Women’s Day Celebrations and this is because it was the first time these events were held in Cape Town and they were instant hit with the fans and audience. The support was just overwhelming.
The challenges that I have faced was lack of sponsors and having to use my own resources  to put an event together is quite challenging, but the responses I get from people and my own inner drive just keeps me going. I have a family structure and friends that back me up, people that believe and support me no matter what and that keep me motivated and moving.

What's your ultimate dream?

My ultimate dream is to see my company grow into a household name and recognised not only in Southern Africa but in the world. To see my company as a company that supports upcoming artists and help them grow into the music industry. To help me achieve that it is with this that I joined as association called Performing Arts Networking of South Africa, a platform for upcoming artists.
Apart from running my own business, I created a Facebook page called Zimbabwe Professionals in Cape Town. This Facebook page is where you find Zimbabweans in Cape Town who are running their own businesses who uses the page to advertise their businesses such as Plumbers, Electricians, Builders, private Teachers, Shuttle drivers etc. I also use the Facebook page to advertise for jobs that are available within the community. I am basically an advocate for businesses run by the Zimbabweans in Cape Town.

What's the next big thing on the cards at Shamstone Production?

The next big event on the cards is the Cape Town Zimbabwe Excellence Awards to be held on the 04th of April 2015. The award ceremony seeks to recognize and acknowledge the Zimbabweans in Cape Town whom through various initiatives such as sports, media, academic, businesses and entertainment have excelled in making a positive contribution to the Development of Cape Town.

By the end of November 2014 we will be proud to introduce our new project: We launching the new clothing line called iMPress. This clothing line is for the distinguished gentleman, the formal wear which can be worn with either a tie of with no tie.

That's diversity! Any parting words?

I am very much privileged to have the support of my beloved wife, friends, and business associates who complements, understands and support my vision. I am also grateful to my team for their support and not forgetting my fans and followers. All the people that I have mentioned inspire me to keep going and never give up and most important not to listen to the sceptic and the critics but to focus on my goals.

Thank you so much for your time Julius. We wish you all the best with your business and once again, we're extremely proud of the good work you're doing.

For more visit:

shamstoneproduction.com  

He's Able!

The Lord will demolish the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. - Proverbs 15:25

Sometimes life deals us a bad hand. We try hard to understand the reasons why bad things happen to us even though we are good people. We begin to feel like God has left us, like the heavens are covered by a large brass blanket impenetrable by our prayers.

One lady I know went through a horrible ordeal. Her husband whom she was married to for only a few years mysteriously got killed through a series of events that made news, albeit not in a manner leading to the resolution of the actual facts surrounding the case.

"Having grown up as an orphan, it had always been my dream to have a family of my own. I was in such a state of denial that I refused to accept that he was gone. I kept thinking he would just come back home as he had always done every day. I couldn't understand why people keep leaving me. My financial situation didn't make things easier. I had no idea how I was going to afford living in the house I was occupying. "

"But God had a plan. I got a raise at work and things got a bit easier. Then there was a program that saw me becoming a home owner. It was unbelievable. All these things happened shortly after we laid him to rest. I'm not happy that he died and these things happened. Rather, I am happy that there is a God whose ear is inclined towards the prayer of the widow. "

You may be in a situation similar to this woman. May her testimony bring you hope. We can never replace the people we lose that were dear to us, but we can find hope in God.