Keeping up with Zola 7

After retreating from the media spotlight following several damaging rumours about his personal life, kwaito singer and actor Bonginkosi Dlamini, popularly known as Zola or Zola 7, is preparing to open up on his upcoming reality TV show, Rolling with Zola.

The former Zola 7 host and Yizo Yizo star has been lying low at his Melville, Johannesburg, home. He spoke outside his home, hanging with friends kasie -style, while his flashy black Chrysler was being washed.

He joked and seemed at ease, as he discussed a range of issues including the upcoming Soweto derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs for the MTN8 cup final, Robert Mugabe's opulent lifestyle - and even gay marriage.

He laughed off suggestions that his career was over, with no chance of a return, and spoke enthusiastically of his new 13-episode reality show.

"There is what we call 'behind the scenes', that means you're busy with other things, and just not on camera, not that you've fallen off the wagon," he said.

"In terms of music, I've always been here. In fact, I've not stopped working. If I died tomorrow, I know I'll have enough music for the next 25 years," he said.

At the height of his dramas, Dlamini, 34, was accused by former girlfriends of shunning his parental responsibilities, and even allegedly physically abusing some of them.

He lost his endorsement contract with cellphone network operator Cell C, and faced allegations of cheating a producer out of the song Ngizokulinda Uz'ubuye on his 2005 album Ibutho.

He even parted ways with his record label, Ghetto Ruff.

But yesterday he said he had moved on from it all, and was focused on inspiring upcoming musicians and black youth.

Dlamini spoke like a man reinvigorated.

He said he had three homes around Melville for his three children to inherit when they were old enough, and another family home in Soweto.

"Back in my early days we sold 200000 album copies at entry level. We recorded at a time when 100000 was not considered much - you were told to push some more. Nowadays 60000 copies gets you hand claps. That was unheard of," he said.

The unscripted reality TV show will follow Zola in his daily activities, travelling to gigs nationwide and producing music for his proteges under his Guluva Entertainment label.

Dlamini said he hoped to inspire budding musicians to do more and persevere, and to also pursue further education.

"These younger artists get depressed quickly when things don't go as planned. I always tell them it will take more time than [it did for me] back then.

"I tell them to look into things that they can be good at other than music."

He said local stars including Arthur Mofokate, DJ Fresh, DJ Glen Lewis, soul singer Lira, DJ Black Coffee, rapper Amu and DJ Cleo were successful because they ran their businesses "smartly".

"My kids are all in private school, I made sure I provided some things I couldn't have when I was younger. This was plotted a while ago, so I didn't actually suffer," he added.

Rolling with Zola will premiere on e.tv on Sunday September 25 at 6.30pm.