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By Ntombi Mhlongo
Local fun lovers have for over a decade enjoyed dancing to the tunes of South African spinner DJ Tira, aka Makoya Bearings, and now they are doing so while sipping on a drink under his brand.
The arrival and distribution of the drink, known as the Bearings Cider, has in a way empowered emaSwati.
In the past few weeks, emaSwati, mainly young people, have been seen in different hangout spots promoting the drink, which is set to be officially launched in the Kingdom of Eswatini at the end of this month.
The Cider
The Eswatini Financial Times caught with the Bearings Cider Local Agent, DJ Mfundo of Kool Swazi Entertainment and the intention was to get to know what is so special about the cider and what motivated the SA spinner to distribute it in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
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“DJ Tira started the concept in September 2021, and he had more than five different can designs, and worked on the product formulation over and over again to make sure that we create something fresh. More exciting is that Tira is not just the face of this new brand but is an owner and this is a milestone. People are enjoying the product everywhere and nothing beats the excitement of seeing the product making people happy,” DJ Mfundo explains.
Worth noting is that the two have been friends for a while and shared the stage at different local shows. DJ Mfundo says the new product is more like a new beginning for his long-time friend and shows that he is what he terms ‘half man, half machine’.
Ambassador
He said while they have not selected a local ambassador so far, they will start searching in the coming months. DJ Mfundo said he was excited that emaSwati are already benefitting from the distribution of the drink in the country.
“We have hired about 20 people and more are yet to be employed because this brand is here to stay”. Regarding the launch, he confirmed that it is scheduled for April 28, 2023, at the XChange Lounge situated at Ngwane Park. Already, six local DJs have been confirmed to share the stage with DJ Tira.
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“The reason Tira decided to launch it in Eswatini is that he knows that emaSwati love him so much and have been supporting him since he started in the music industry”.
The Eswatini Financial Times has heard a hint that the South African star could be coming with a surprise act. Fans will be expected to pay E150 at the door while those who love the soft life on the VIP will fork out E250.
Afrotainment
DJ Tira, is a South African DJ, record producer, Durban Kwaito artist, and founder of a record label called Afrotainment.
He is one of the South African talented stars who discovered the Gqom music genre which became popular around 2017. In 1996 he developed an interest in deejaying while he was still in varsity and started playing as a DJ.
In 2001 he released his first record named Real Makoya, which is a compilation album along with DJ Khabzela. In 2005 he was signed by DJ Oskido‘s Kalawa Jazzmee. He performed under the group named Tzozo En Professor and later formed Durban’s Finest together with Sox which also was under Kalawa Jazzme Records.
Star
Tira has a history with Oskido as he is the one who signed him in his first music contract, since then Dj Tira became a star. He established Ezase Afro which fell under Kalawa then he went solo later.
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In 2007 HE launched his recording studio Afrotainment and signed DJ Cndo as the first artist. Since he was working at his own production, he became a music producer. Later the same year DJ Tira signed the Kwaito group Big Nuz after relocating from Johannesburg to their origin, Durban.
Well known for signing talented artists, 2019 saw DJ Tira take the Qwabe Twins under his wings. After the twins’ dramatic exit from Idols SA, DJ Tira made the call for the twins to join him in the studio.
