Part 2: Interview With Lupi
January 17, 2011 by Cedrick
Continuation of Cedrick’s Interview with Lupi.
Part 1 is HERE.
Cedrick: What puts bread on your table now?
Lupi: I run a Consultancy firm, Full Swing Consulting. We conceptualize and execute community development projects on behalf of corporate and government parastatals. I compere at launch events, seminars and conduct workshops.
Cedrick: I hear you suffer from depression?
Lupi: Who told you? Yes I do, I’m very depressed. I’ve been depressed since the age of 8 and I’m not on medication. I’m also an ambassador for the SA depression and anxiety group.
Cedrick: Back to your career, tell us about SABC Sports gig?
Lupi: I’m known far and wide for my impeccable dress sense and I’ve taught quite a lot of people how to put an ensemble together lol. When SABC sports called me, we had to conceptualize and put a look together that would best represent the image of the SABC and fit the local and international commentators. This opportunity remains one of the highlights of my career.
Cedrick: And what’s this we read about you being fired?
Lupi: Some over zealous journalist from the Sunday World created the controversy around my appointment and he and his friends are the only people that seemed to have challenged the appointment. The culture of investigating or even discussing that is one that I care very little to cultivate. My nephew was coming out of initiation school and my grand mother had passed on so I had to be with family in PE. My principals were understanding of my situation. If you recall, my comment in that paper was “if asking for a break to go home translates to being fired then I don’t know”.
Cedrick I’m yet to see a contract where Lupi was fired, I’ve never been fired from any job . Who are you to fire Lupi, such a resource ,lol? Where do you even start? I’ve never been fired in my life, I’d love to be fired, I’d like to know how it feels like. I was doing an interview on Phat Joe’s show in Cape Town last week Friday and he said to me “ooh I get you man I was also fired by the SABC”, I said to Joe ” don’t get it twisted, I was never fired, you were”. I was fired by the news paper. Anyone who can prove I was fired can come forward with the evidence. I can bet on my left tit, I was never fired.
Cedrick: The day you left that gig, you wrote on facebook that you are not responsible for the wedding look of the commentators; this kind of made some people believe the story in the Sunday World, why did you do that?
Lupi: I did not approve of the look that was put out, and unfortunately there was very little I could do to intervene because I wasn’t around. I was strongly opposed to the look and I somehow had to make people aware that there was no way in hell I’d take grown ass men that I’ve managed to convert into these edible hunks and now reduce them to abo stroyi emtshadweni. But that still did not by any means translate into me being fired.
Cedrick: They didn’t only say you were fired, they also said you took R190 000 that was supposed to be paid to Carducci, some clarity there?
Lupi: The Carducci story that was published by the Sunday World. I wish someone can go check and audit my bank accounts. I was just the consultant; I was not responsible for making payments. I don’t understand how I could run around with R190 000. I don’t know what that story is all about. As a matter of fact, we have sued AVUSA media for defamation. I have suffered severely as a result of that slanderous article. By this time, I should be on 40% of my target with the shoes campaign but now corporates are resisting giving because of that stupid article. I was never fired, and I never received any money from SABC to pay the supplier.
Cedrick: Also, what went sour was your relationship with the Msenganas (Thomas & Unathi), what happened there?
Lupi: I owe a great part of who I am, the success I’ve enjoyed in the media space is a total lump sum of what I was taught by Unathi and Thomas. I remain a loyal friend and business partner to both. It is unfortunate that through working together Thomas and I got to a point where we lost each other. Egos came into place, I got very big headed and we could not see each other as brothers and through the external influences things started going down South. I’m proud to say we have worked out our differences, and we remain friends and brothers.
Cedrick: You managed Vusi Nongxa for what seemed like a week?
Lupi: I didn’t manage Vusi, the last artist I managed was Unathi I was friends with Vusi’s mom, who passed away. I’ve known him since he was a kid, and he always wanted to sing. And the only gift I could give him was to launch him and help him settle into the industry.
Cedrick: We hear you are moving to Cape Town? Tell me if that’s true so we can give our sources an increase.
Lupi: I’m flirting with the idea of moving to Cape Town, and it’s a strong flirtation.
Cedrick: Last question, how do you want to be remembered?
Lupi: I just want to be remembered as that guy who had all the fun that this world had to offer, the doting father to his five children, wonderful brother to my siblings, loving son to my mom, and the most caring brother to mankind.
For more information on the Railway to Life campaign, contact Lupi via his website www.lupingcayisa.co.za or find him on Facebook.
Zida on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 1:40 am
Ooh hhayi, he sounds scandalous shem. Actually, he’s always been scandalous since his days at YFM.
He sounds arrogant too. We know he thinks he is the best, but he doesn’t have to flash it like that because it’s debatable.
And Ced, I felt you didn’t probe much. You didn’t even follow up where I felt you were supposed to.
With that being said, I’ll still support his campaign because it’s a great cause.
SilentBloggar on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 6:43 am
He’s been depressed since the age of 8 but he’s not on medication, hawuuuuuuuuu. Ndiyaqala uyiva ke le. Nice interview Ced but I also feel you didn’t probe him much at certain points, but I got the gist of who he is and what he does.
Katlego.SA on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 8:01 am
great interview chief.
i didnt know he had a fall out wiht Bad Boy T.
who is Vusi Nongxa?
Lue on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 8:09 am
“abo stroyi emtshadweni” wow….this is my number 1 come end of the year
lele011 on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 8:12 am
LOL, interesting interview.
gooGirl on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 8:43 am
he made an impression on a customer. Lmfffao.#death. To me s h e s one of those ‘wat just happened? faces.’ Mbiza boy.lol
Maratahelele on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 10:16 am
Nice interview but I think you could have pressed more for some issues like being fired,how did it all come about and stuff.
I also wanted to know more about his relationship with Tshepo,if they are a couple or just friends,if he is Gay or not,and why he doesnt own a car,Lupi has never bought a car in his life cause he is scared of driving,just wanted to know how did that come about.
lwandie on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 10:50 am
Nice one Cedric,I like that you are always well researched about who ever you interview,that question about his depressive illness definitely threw him off balance.
In my opinion I think you pressed him just enough on all the relevant issues,there is a thin line between pressing for an answer and being blatently in someone’s face me thinks…Thank goodness you did not ask him about his sexual orrientation bathong in this era surely that’s hardly news or is it?
Wow Mr Lupi says everything and nothing … if that makes sense.After reading this I re read the old interview that he had with BS ku TVSA and realised that I still know nothing about the man behind all the verbosity.That said, his foundation for disadvantaged kids is such a beautiful thing,I’m also impressed with his well designed web page.
Soweto23 on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 11:38 am
Hello everyone. I just had to register to comment on the Lupi story!
I also agree. I wish Cedric should have pressed him more for questions. I was more curious about his relationship with Thomas but I’m glad they made up again!
popeye on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 11:57 am
Dont know much about this guy but sure enjoyed the interview…
Lehakoe on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 2:03 pm
Cedric, I must say you have some of the best interviews up here. Very well researched and enjoyed reading it.
MissAN on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 2:09 pm
@ Soweto23…he banna u mean a platonic relationship or romantic relationship with Thomas aka Bad Boy T??
MissAN on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 3:01 pm
Ok… I finally read the interview…was hoping for more on Bad Boy T and him…Oh well. Good interview Ced.
MaCMash on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 3:05 pm
Hi everybody I’m happy that you guys enjoyed the interview.
@Katlego Vusi is that guy that sings afro pop. He did that ching ching pao song with Kwela Tebza.
Those who want to assist donations can come in the form of
school shoes to be dropped off at any SABC office or an electronic transfer
to
BBM Inc NEDBANK 1469159198 Branch 146905 Ref: RN3306. School shoes are
priced at R120 a pair. Corporates can have their own internal collections
,churches can do the same to
For more information on the Railway to Life campaign, contact Hazel /Lupi
011 714 2658 072 493 2005 email lupi@asklupi.co.za cell 072 493
2005 or visit http://www.lupingcayisa.co.za
Soweto23 on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 3:26 pm
No MissAN I was meaning platonic relationship! I don’t think Thomas is like that. I heard that Lupi wasn’t invited to Thomas’ wedding and I wanted to find out what happened really.
MissAN on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 3:40 pm
@ Soweto23,thanks,I just had not read the article but saw that after I had read it…Guess I was hoping for a scandal.
MaCMash on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 4:22 pm
Kwaaaaaaaa @looking for a scandal. MissAnn I was also looking for scandals
kakapana on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 4:31 pm
habe kanti the “egos” got so bad that Lupi wasnt even invited to the wedding?
mzuaqe on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 5:39 pm
Oh usisi ngulo owayenguGudayva pha kwaKc! Ungumama shame lomntana! Gay gayer gayest!!!
Buhlebonga on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 5:59 pm
I liked this article. The research was on point and I like the fact that u didn’t go all Debra Patta on him. There was no need to.
Some journo’s could learn a thing or two with ur research skills. Somethings we read make us cringe at times.
Good job.
FunkyFK on Mon, 17th Jan 2011 6:00 pm
Oh yes, thanks mzuaqe for mentioning this name “Gudaiva” I really enjoyed those Gudaiva moments, when shim used to tease the celebrities – what does shim call them now. That show was Rocka’s – they were good with KC.
Had to laugh to this comment “”"”Ungumama shame lomntana!”"”"”"
keka on Tue, 18th Jan 2011 9:59 am
didn’t know it was him on KC’s show….well those were the dayz, it was a good combination yena no KCI………
manny on Wed, 19th Jan 2011 2:33 pm
TJOTJOTJO
kakapana on Wed, 19th Jan 2011 2:38 pm
he he he mzuaqe you are going to burn in hell with Kabelo and purple.