10 Feb 2019

Carlos Ditsheko, 38, has made strides in the music industry despite its many challenges.

The Maun lad, who owns CMD Records, says he has toiled for the past 12 years to make his business a success.

In an interview, Ditsheko said he ventured into the music industry in 2007 armed with a P70 000 loan from his parents with which he was able to buy studio equipment.

Through hard work and patience, he persevered and today his business is attracting a lot of attention with clientele from all four corners of the country.

He said the business was profitable and virtually a monopoly as other studios had closed down.

His love for music, he said, dates back to 1998 when he was a keyboard player and singer with Sedudu Boys Band in Kasane.

Ditsheko said his father’s best friend, Mpho Nakedi, a renowned gospel singer, introduced him to the industry.

He said his fees were P800 for singles and between P4 000 and P7 000 to record an album, adding that it was possible to make more than P20 000 a week, especially during peak season.

Describing music recording as seasonal, he said he generated more profits between March and December as that was the time many artistes were busy composing and releasing albums.

He revealed that he was currently working on Mantshwabisi’s single entitled Combo ya Banyana expected to hit the market before the end of this month.

Ditsheko prides himself on the reputation of his studio, noting that he tried his best to give his clients excellent service.

Among those who have used his studio he counts some of Botswana’s best known brands in the likes of Chris Manto 7, LaTimmy, Reaboka Mbulawa, Slizer, Stiga Sola and Vee.

To grow his business and create employment opportunities for young people, he said he planned to expand into video shooting this year.

One of his projects, a single for Chris Manto 7 dubbed Asante sana mughu was likely to end in a video shoot before end of this year, he said.

Ditsheko said he obtained P50 000 through the Youth Development Fund to boost his business.

One of his clients, Kago Moses of Mantshwabisi expressed appreciation for the good working relationship between his band and Ditsheko, noting that he never disappointed.

“CMD Records is the best studio which puts its customers first and also provides excellent service,” he said, adding that his band started working with Ditsheko in 2012 and had enjoyed his services up to now. ENDS