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Danisa Masuku
Dream and dream big!
This is the motto that has been the driving force behind popular poet Dumisani Mhlanga who has now embarked on dog farming.
Imbongi kaZulu or People’s poet as he is affectionately known in the showbiz industry revealed that becoming a dog farmer has been on his wish list.
He says when his showbiz occupation paid off he ticked dog rearing on wish list and bought a Great Dane puppy.
From just one pet, the People’s Poet is now a proud owner of 15 pets that he calls friends.
He keeps a variety of pets at his Marula Farm in Plumtree and some at his family house in Bulawayo’s Luveve suburb.
He prefers to be at the farm and — this is the unlikely solace for the popular poet who has graced high profile events mainly to churn out poems.
“I love its tranquillity. I get time to reflect about life away from the hustles and bustles of the city life. When I’m there, I shut off from the city’s busy life. Here I play with my ‘friends’ after that I would feel refreshed and motivated to face life,” he said while massaging one of his favourite pets — the Great Dane.
He adds: “I love it because of its giant size and it loves to play with me.”
The dogs know their master has arrived because, to break the silence of the countryside, People’s Poet bellows “Killer, Stalin . . . at the top of his voice when he sees them. The dogs swiftly rush to their master who quickly shows a sign of love as he gives them food.
After that he plays with his pets and that helps him in bonding with them.
He reveals that rearing dogs has turned him into an entrepreneur.
“I sell to those who want to reproduce for breeding for example cross- breeding Boerboels and English Mastiff.” He also sells to security companies and to households.
But he says he won’t do away with his creative arts.
“Following my motto — dream and dream big — I want to juggle dog farming and arts and if an opportunity arises along the way I will grab it,” says the ambitious People’s Poet.
Imbongi kaZulu has some advice to budding artistes.
“Believe in yourself and persevere as you religiously pursue your dream and that will make you conquer all stumbling blocks that you could encounter in your career path,” he said.
Online Reporter