Enterprising young e-businessman Themba Ndala is already attracting a solid following with the website Themba Ndala - Latest for Web (www.thembandala.biz), which marries social media applications, such as Facebook, with the most current entertainment and web news.
"Everyone loves music, and music fans and musicians alike can meet on my website and learn about social media, how to sell their music online and generally how to use the Web to market themselves effectively," Ndala explained. "My site offers an interactive educational resource on visit one and makes business sense, which sets me apart."
Facebook, for example, now has over 300 million users across the globe - an audience ripe for the plucking for those in the entertainment industry who are savvy enough to explore its possibilities.
A convenient feature of the website is that it is integrated with Facebook; users can log on to the website using their Facebook user name and password, and are then able to comment on posts and share items on the website with their friends via Facebook. There is also a Twitter sign-in on the site.
The website will feature simple, informative articles and tutorials on social media and will also bring users the hottest news on current web trends and issues, reviews of local and international websites, and so on.
Themba Ndala - Latest for Web will also feature streamed YouTube videos, as well as podcasts of artist interviews, live shows, and CD and book launches.
Music fanatics can check out the latest charts and search for details of their favourite artists, courtesy of UK-based Internet radio station Last.FM. These juicy titbits of information can be shared via Facebook or Twitter, and fun music quizzes are also on offer.
Ndala is confident that his broadcast channel, which is already attracting huge interest, (some 60 000 hits in two months) is on its way to becoming an essential resource - particularly among the young as well as artists from all disciplines, be they musicians, authors, poets or other practitioners in the visual or performing arts.
"I think that there is huge potential for South African artists in particular to harness the power of the Web and use it to their advantage," said Ndala, who has combined his twin passions for music and IT in conceptualising his website. "All they need are the tools to capitalise fully on the massive power and possibilities of social media.
"I hope my online channel becomes a vibey meeting place for progressive-minded entertainment industry hopefuls and professionals, as well as young people who are hungry for dynamic new web interactions."
Go to www.thembandala.biz for more information.
