THE 3 MUSKETEERS (POWERHOUSE)
Friendships are beautiful and most precious bond, more especially when you all have common dreams. In this issue we featured three different brands with a common goal, the trio which is rare to find in the entertainment industry. One wouldn’t easily expect this collaboration more so that their fields of expertise are different from each other. The fact that they complement each other towards a common goal is absolutely astounding. Meet the three Musketeers; Masi Sithole, Jujuvine and Berry Heart.
2020 is a rough year, particularly for the Entertainment industry. What are your sentiments?
Upon responding Masi Sithole was quoted saying that; indeed 2020 has been a mammoth task for all of us, a year that shall be engraved with a bold font in the world’s history books. But then, convincingly, nothing just happens. One colossal lesson we took from the COVID 19 era is that “We can plan, but God decides”. Amidst all, we chose to abundantly utilize the COVID 19 curfew, mostly lockdown, by making it memorable particularly in the arts industry since it’s that time where our relevance as brands were tested. Berry Heart added that the year 2020 still makes us survive with our noses above water. As much as COVID-19 era changed the whole ball game of our 2020 plans, we can confidently say it came out as a blessing in disguise for us, since it helped us cement the relationship between the 3 musketeers. We had to find the need to support and work together, develop each other individually or as a team. To add a cherry on top Juju Vine giggled and stated that, as a team, we needed a tough time with less action to think beyond an extraordinary mind, which is why now we approach companies not as individuals but as a group to offer our influencer services to them. Remember team work is always the best
What do you want to achieve from working together in the Entertainment industry?
The Kalahari born maiden of integrity, Berry Heart full names Keotshepile Motseonageng emphasized that their main aim as a team is to certainly use their celebrity status to represent companies. But how? We wish to help companies differentiate their brands from their competitors by; improving their AD recall, making consumers remember their adverts, and that their products are connected to their favorite public figures/ celebrities. The success of a company is on its marketing strategies, and as such vouching for a team of three (3) influential public figures to sell your company products at subsidized price is better than using one. To Batswana we are here; ready to partner with companies in advertising and marketing, product development, and product launches.
How are you organized and prioritize your tasks?
The beautiful, down to earth Kalanga fashionista Masi Sithole alluded that; ” the realization of any idea comes with proper forecasting, which in most cases could entail explicitly working on your mission, vision, goals, SWOT analysis and more to it drawing a risk management strategy to employ in case of any unforeseen eventualities, and that’s how organized we are thus far”. She further added that, “While we have so many similarities in celeb Ville which includes being influential with a huge following we have differences and strengths, our academic qualifications, consequently play a major role in our union. Masi Sithole qualifies Public Relations & Communication thus making her a good director, manager and content creator for any task the team has. Berry Heart is the team strategist who holds an MBA and Jujuvine is so technical, good with logistics and a computer genius which is influenced by his CCNA computer science academic qualification from the University of Botswana. We bring these great strengths to bring results, bearing in mind that we also have different career paths that need individual attention. And while at work we have different personalities that help us work with fewer conflicts, proving that indeed it is not only the similarities that bring us together but our differences too.
How do you guys support each other?
The Gabane born Comedian, Jujuvine full names Junior Ntlogelang Sekolokwane, echoed that our support starts from as little as sharing and commenting on each other’s social media posts, following each other and hyping up each other. It escalates to purchasing each other’s products. Just recently Masi was featured in a South African Fashion and Style magazine adorned in Berry Heart Creations. I have also been dressed by Berry Heart Creations to events several times. Furthermore, I and Berry never miss an episode of Property for you TV show or anything Masi is engaged on. Berry Heart wore BlaqQueen collections gown by Masi Sithole on her video ‘Ke jesa ko Bokalaka’. As if that is not enough, Berry and Masi humble me each day since they eat chicken and eggs from Juju farms and never miss any of my comedy shows.
How comfortable are you guys working together like this in the industry?
According to Berry Heart: “Collaborations come with a motive, a motive that is meant to yield better results, and be assured even in our next life we will still choose to work with each other and as such confirming that indeed we are extremely comfortable with our union. Establishing and understanding that we are on this journey to build rather than compete is the cornerstone of our union, the fundamental glue that brought us together. Our common ground and blessing are that we are all in the top list of Botswana celebrities with a larger following, we are hard workers from humble beginnings and we are passionate about our brands and the combination of all three. If we could pass on one message to our fans, it would be; “Kgetsi ya tsie e kgona ke go tshwaraganelwa”
The three of you have been praised for connecting with your followers, something that cut through as beautiful. Why?
Masi Sithole self-assuredly stated that; the first rule to hustling is “Demand and Supply”, you give people some of the good stuff and make them want more, and that’s our adage. Coming from humble beginnings tremendously shaped our lives and that’s probably part of the reason we connected naturally, we always give love to our followers. God is Love, and if you fear and have him by your side, loving others regardless of who they are will come easy. Just that someone you don’t know took time to comment on your post should mean something; by the way, it takes their hard-earned data bundles to support us, so why not appreciate them. A key note to that; “As an ‘influencer’ on social media, remember your status is the result of ‘followers’ who have chosen to follow you. Connecting with them, through a reply at the least or by mentioning their names often is not only a sign of humility but also a demonstration of appreciation”
Any 2020 greatest achievements?
Jujuvine indicated that they have all been nominated in awards recently. From the Botswana Women’s awards, Berry Heart was nominated for the most influential woman in 2020 and Masi Sithole for the best woman in fashion and style 2020. Recently from Botswana People’s choice awards, Masi Sithole was nominated for Favourite TV personality and Jujuvine for Favourite influential personality of the year, and voting is still on. Note that apart from personally voting for each other we lobby for each other. We have even bigger plans for getting actively involved in each other’s brand. Keep it locked. To our fans, “To vote for Masi kindly SMS BW25 and for Jujuvine SMS BW19, both to 17272″.
Keotshepile Motseonageng (Berry Heart)
Bio
“Multi- Award-winning artist, singer, and poet, entrepreneur, CEO for Berry Heart creations, social media influencer, and mother to ordained Baby Amari Sokesi” Brand Aim.
“A brand aimed to reach out to people fully since our key skills and competencies are entrepreneurial with commercial acumen and excellent management skills. Being result-oriented with a positive outlook is our daily drive”.
Mental Health technique
Every time I get overwhelmed I remember God’s promise to me that he cannot give me anything I cannot handle. Having been a mother especially a primer has been my center of sanity, a journey that I fully chose to enjoy, since its either you lose yourself or you give birth to your new self, I chose the latter and ultimately enjoyed the whole process of rebirth of Berry Heart”.
Future projects
“Budding Berry Heart creations across borders, as currently we have a growing clientele in southern Africa”.
Junior Ntlogelang Sekolokwane (Jujuvine)
- Bio
“Jaybear, from Gabane, a husband, father, farmer, comedian, social media influencer, musician, actor and former news anchor at Namibian Broadcasting Corporation.
- Brand Aim
“I regard Jujuvine as a brand that is in existence to inspire the next generation that you can achieve anything you want in life, as long as you are not scared to take risks. Be unstoppable, go beyond boundaries and break the ceiling.
- Mental Health technique
“I’m such an extrovert, one who thrives on attention and being around people. Jujuvine is so flexible and always up to satisfying his heart desires to keep sane and going. Above all, I love Daddy God and my family”
- Future projects
“Owning a Juju Farm & gardens Lodge” then I will be okay with life”.
- Masi Sithole
- Bio
“BlaqQueen, a Lioness, Kalanga from Moroka Village, TV personality, Fashionista, social media influencer, Educationist & PR and a philanthropist”.
- Brand Aim
“I regard Masi Sithole as a work in progress, a brand that is in existence to help elevate other women with a ferocious sense of style, since ‘IMAGE IS EVERYTHING’. Fashion is my sixth sense, so inborn, it is just who I am and you can never run away from yourself.
- Mental Health technique
“I’m such an introverted, me-time, indoors type of a person. An attribute meant to empower me and keep me sane. Through it I get balanced and profoundly connect with God through prayer while watching sermons online. One other thing I’m so big in family, if I’m not working I spend quality time with my family since family is the backbone of Masi Sithole”
- Future projects
“Masi Sithole Productions Pty Ltd is at present baking a bun. Be on the lookout!”
CREDITS
Photographer: Khosta Dollah photography
- Berry Heart
MUA: Nora Cosmetics
Dressed: Berry Heart Creations
Earrings: Beads Makers Investment
Hair: Trueville
- Masi Sithole
MUA: Ferre by Motswafere
Dress: BlaqQueen collection by Godfrey75029355
- Jujuvine
Dressed: own wardrob
Duncan Sebeso