Thato Sikwane, better known as DJ Fresh, has recently released the highly anticipated 'Voices of Hope 2' and 'DBS Roadshow,' and his die-hard fans are ecstatic.

DJ Fresh started his career on radio in 1992 and is one of the best broadcasters in south Africa. It comes as no surprise that his weekly podcast ‘WAW! What a Week with DJ Fresh’ is one of the fan favourites.

With a career that started in radio back in 1992, it's no wonder that DJ Fresh has become one of the most popular broadcasters in the country. His weekly podcast, 'WAW! What a Week with DJ Fresh,' is a firm favourite among fans who appreciate the meaningful conversations subjects that are not usually mainstream.

GQ had a chat with DJ Fresh to discuss his latest music, podcasting and cancel culture.

GQ: What made you decide to start a podcast?

DJ Fresh: They say everyone has a diehard fan base of at least 100 people and that 100 must be serviced and given what they want. They are usually those who support you, cool kids call them ‘day ones’ even if they weren’t part of your early days; you should never forget your die-hards!

To tell you the honest truth, I think my biggest push to start is my minimum loyal 100 that have been there through my journey, station to station and other platforms. I have been asked for a podcast from them forever, some even asked before I left radio so it worked out well I guess.

Podcasting, DJ Fresh, new music — DJ Fresh, image: Supplied

Africa Podcast Network proposed I join them in February last year and I took as long as I did because I needed it to be right. I needed to see who’s doing what, I didn’t want to be just another podcast or seen as another or dubbed as copying the ones doing well like Podcast & chill etc. I also thought about stuff I did on radio that people would love because if you look at a lot of podcasts, most aren’t necessarily formats you would hear on radio.

GQ: How does it feel to be back behind the microphone?

DJ Fresh: It feels amazing to be back hey. Funny cause it feels like I never left but now there’s a studio element to things. I have slowly started warming up to it, I enjoy it.

GQ: In what ways is "WAW! What a Week with DJ Fresh" unique from other podcasts?

DJ Fresh: We are podcasting but we aren’t doing it the same way everyone else is doing it. E.g. Some podcasts might look at stories making headlines from that week but we take a different approach to it, hence we have a comedian come in to chat on those headline stories.

We are very intentional with our interviews, have guests come in and yes we will talk about your career and highlights but we pay special focus to their week. We had Minnie and their movie was in circuit that week, she shared on her work, life, family and struggles.

Podcasting, DJ Fresh, new music — DJ Fresh, image: Supplied

The format we use also allows us to be fluid each week, we can focus on youngsters doing great things we think need a spotlight, tech features, sports and the list is endless.

GQ: You've worked in radio for many years; do you believe it's dying slowly?

DJ Fresh: I don’t think radio will ever die! I don’t think anything can take away from the immediacy of being able to listen to your favourite voice but also get information. What I can say is that radio has tight competition, it’s not just podcasting - all platforms that people have access to.

Radio survived music video eras, iPods although not everyone had those but those were already competition. But another reason is that people tune in for the person/people behind the mic.

I know when I am on radio, my shows don’t usually have a lot of music because people would have a high demand. Some go as far as telling me they have the music and aren’t listening for it. They want to connect with you, your mind, and have conversations.

Podcasting, DJ Fresh, new music — DJ Fresh, image: Supplied

Having said that, I think radio has reached a stagnant stage which is sad to see. I think because of poor management in this country, as a listener you aren’t getting new people that can build and grow with you. Everyone is sounding the same, everyone is doing the same thing, people are not as creative as they were 10-15 years ago.

That’s why to this day if you were to ask e.g. ChatGPT who the top 10 radio personalities are it’s the same list. When last did you hear me on the radio but I still get nominated? Gareth Cliff, the late Bob Mabena, John Robby… The list changes but names stay the same.

But because we did radio at the level that we did, it’ll forever be etched in the history books of radio. I haven’t been on radio in over two years and still win radio awards. So, there’s something that radio isn’t doing right that is clearly not allowing for new talent to be as influential as we were/are. At the end of the day, radio won’t die though, not anytime soon.

GQ: What types of guests and discussions can we look forward to on your show?

DJ Fresh: As I said, we base it on what people are doing that week but we are trying more on focusing on showcasing talented young Africans, South Africans. There are a lot of youngsters doing incredible things, some in career paths that are seen as unusual or haven’t even heard of.

We are trying to be the voice and put voices of people who might have not made it onto radio because mainstream is also picky about who they put on for interviews. We have comedians, I have always been a big supporter of comedy in SA.

I started having comedians on my shows as far back as YFM days and have been supporting them ever since. I will always push for it because if we do not support our own then who will?

GQ: Do you believe in "opening up" the industry and giving new talents a chance?

DJ Fresh: I have a problem with this concept that presupposes the industry as a playground that you had your chance of the seesaw so let someone else on. This is a career. You won’t hear that in any other industry, you wouldn’t hear a teacher or doctor being told to give others a chance.

What happens to the knowledge that comes with the years, it’s also a career, people retire in their 60s and this feels like forcing people out when they aren’t done working. Yes when you have a chance and influence to help others build or within your influence then by all means do it. I have built a 30 year career while helping many start their own careers and opening doors to let others in where I can.

I know it’s part of my calling to impact people in a positive way - not just listeners but those I cross paths with along the journey of life.

Podcasting, DJ Fresh, new music — DJ Fresh, image: Supplied

Most of those have been in our industry. I don’t think it’s up to anyone to build others or put them on. Like with any industry; you could be a hairdresser and allow apprentices in your shop while the next person doesn’t.

At the end of the day it’s up to the person. As with everything else in life, you are on your own and no one owes you anything.

GQ: What are your thoughts on cancel culture?

DJ Fresh: I think it’s rather unfortunate. I think cancel culture is trying to do what we are trying to get the prison system to not do. Most cancel culture is based on opinions not facts.

Once social media has decided because they do not like a person then they will crucify them. They will go as far as getting a person fired and ruin them. At times people involved have moved past the incident but if social media mop is still hoping on then you are still in the red.

Cancel culture also has a bully mentality because the person who will try to stand with the person seen wrong or speak on how they served ‘their time’ will also get crucified/cancelled. It’s always sad to see how they also bully brands into not working with people. Question is, how long must people suffer?

GQ: Do you think it's difficult to be a celebrity in this day and age, when anyone can easily access you?

DJ Fresh: So I personally don’t like the limelight, I love what I do. If I could do what I do anonymously I would’ve done it long ago. I don’t like the attention that comes with what we do.

Your privacy is out the window because you’re so accessible. You can’t even let your hair down, have a beer or few shots without anyone filming you or even translating it the way they want to.

I think some just want to be celebrities but don’t do anything. Being a celebrity comes with being great at what you do. Celebrity comes with people celebrating what you do, you are memorable because of what you do, you are excellent but with the access that people have and social media… It almost pushes people to not be their best due to what it comes with.

GQ: Are you working on any new music?

DJ Fresh: I have two new Albums out. I did a roadshow with the Department of Broadcasting services in Botswana. We went from villages to towns to showcase up and coming talent.

Podcasting, DJ Fresh, new music — DJ Fresh, image: Supplied

We recorded an album with a ton of kids from that side. DBS Roadshow 22 (album name) Voices of Hope 2, which is my first ever album which isn’t a compilation. Dropped this past Friday. It’s a labour of love, I collaborated with some really talented people, young talent. I worked on the album with my record label partner SHONA SA. If you love AfroTech then this is for you.

GQ: What else can we expect from DJ Fresh in 2023?

DJ Fresh: So many new things but cannot share at the moment. I am still DJing, and have been playing with a band for the last 4/5 years now. On the road I am so glad I still get to see people and see those who appreciate the music we share.

I am as in love with it now as I was over 30 years ago. I am working on new music, looking at releasing new music every few weeks. I will be working on projects outside the music space so once those kickstart then I will be able to share.

For now, I am working on growing WAW! What A week, a new baby. The love has been incredible, to being over 18k followers on YouTuber in the first month is unheard of in this space. Podcasting is hard. To have it grow at the pace it’s growing, to even have sponsors coming onboard is exciting.

It’s always great receiving feedback, people always sharing the different streaming platforms they listen to or watch on YouTube. Excited to see it grow. Working, growing and honestly loving life…