A big congratulations to award-winning journalist Owen WekwaMadondo, popularly known as DJ Ollah 7, on marking the first anniversary of his podcast! Transitioning from a stable position at Star FM to launching an independent venture takes courage, strategy, and determination—qualities DJ Ollah 7 has demonstrated in abundance.
By Timothy Kuhamba
Over the past year, the Ollah 7 Podcast has grown into one of Zimbabwe’s most-followed platforms, setting a new benchmark for podcasting in the country. For many young Zimbabweans, DJ Ollah’s journey serves as a beacon of inspiration, proving that bold dreams and consistent effort can yield remarkable results.
By focusing on personal branding DJ Ollah 7 has built a solid reputation. His approach underscores the importance of integrity, demonstrating that while building a brand takes time, it can be easily undone without consistent effort and values. We have seen the support and contribution of media houses like Nash Tv. Such industry support is very commendable especially in a competitive space like ours.
The podcast’s one-year celebration last night at Casino Marina in Harare were graced by an impressive lineup of high-profile guests, including Honorable Dr. Jenfan Muswere, Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services; renowned businessman Dr. Philip Chiyangwa; musician Clive Mono Mukundu; Advocate Arthur Marara; veteran broadcaster Mai Rebecca Chisamba, Tich Mataz Denny J, Zimcelebs co-founder Uncle Munhumutapa, Mono Mukundu and many others. The presence of these distinguished figures is a testament to DJ Ollah 7’s growing influence.
“Several artists like Mbeu, Frets, Jah Signal, IShan and Dj Iroq gave sterling performances”
One of the key lessons from DJ Ollah 7’s success is the value of building a strong personal brand, which has attracted significant corporate support for the podcast. By maintaining journalistic ethics and high production standards, he has bolstered the credibility of his platform, setting it apart in a crowded content creation landscape.
“The podcast is a trendsetter in a number of ways, one of which is that it was the first podcast to attract so many corporate support. As a result, it has grown to employ a number of players in various departments, and in the case of broadcasting, it has already received several prestigious awards.” Veteran music producer Mono Mukundu
While the journey wasn’t without its challenges—particularly in the early stages of production quality—DJ Ollah 7 listened to audience feedback and made improvements. His investment in high-quality broadcasting equipment has elevated the podcast’s visual and audio standards, further cementing its appeal.
The Ollah 7 Podcast has also embraced content diversification, tackling a wide range of topics, from social issues to football. This variety has allowed it to reach broader audiences, as demonstrated by a recent football-focused episode hosted by Yvonne Magunda. Diversification is a crucial driver of growth, and DJ Ollah 7 has mastered this strategy.
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With 645,000 combined Facebook followers for his two pages and 116,000 YouTube subscribers, DJ Ollah 7 has built a thriving community that values his thoughtful and engaging content. His ability to address the issues that resonate with his audience and provide a platform for diverse voices has made the podcast a trusted space for meaningful conversations.
As DJ Ollah 7 often says, “Measure twice and cut once.” His meticulous approach to content creation and commitment to growth continue to set him apart. By building trust with both his guests and his audience, he has crafted a podcast that truly feels like it belongs to the people.
Picture of Ollah 7 and the Minister of information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services of Zimbabwe Hon Jenfan Muswere.
“What a night it was !!!! I would like to thank all those who came out to support us last night for our first anniversary celebration at Casino Marina, we had so much fun and we hope you enjoyed too.” Ollah 7
From all of us at earGROUND MEDIA, we celebrate this incredible milestone and wish DJ Ollah 7 many more years of success, growth, and impactful storytelling. Here’s to the future of the Ollah 7 Podcast!
Pictures credit – Ollah 7, Mono Mukundu
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Timothy Kuhamba
Advocate for arts development and spearheading space education initiatives in Zimbabwe. National Coordinator for World Space Week Zimbabwe and UNISEC Global Zimbabwe actively promoting global collaboration in space education.
