Passion for music drives TUT student

Nothing is as refreshing as seeing a young person pushing their passion with all that they have. You know a lot of successful DJs and award winning artists will tell you that they are where they are because their dreams started in a small room they used to record their music or in a varsity residence.

23 year Mthokozisi Mbokozo known as MthoDaDJ who studies Business Communication at the Tshwane University of Technology said that he fell in love with music when he was doing his grade 12 five years ago at Bonginhlanhla Senior Secondary School. “I knew nothing about music but I watched videos on how to produce music,” he said.

Mbokodo grew up in Nelspruit, Kadaantji. He said that he was a very active kid who used to participate in everything at school and would perform in every event. Growing up was not sweet all for him coming from a disadvantaged background. “I remember that I once had to work part-time jobs just so I could be able to buy myself a computer to do my music,” said Mbokodo.

What was challenging for him when starting music is that people were not impressed with his music, he was criticised a lot and with others saying he will not make it, “Some were saying that the industry is tough I used all the negatives to my advantage,” he said. He continued to say that it is hard for him to get promotions and a record deal as an artist. Mbokodo currently uses a bedroom studio to record his music. I asked him how he balances his music and studies and he said that his studies come first and music follows as a hobby.

He said that he has always wanted to do music, and he studying BC because he loves being in an advertising agency. I asked him why he is not studying sound engineering, and he said: “I love music but I do not want to depend on it alone, I wanted something I could fall back on.” Mbokodo said that his parents were sceptical about him doing music, “They were not really supportive because they wanted me to focus on my education and my hobbies should follow. “He however said that they are now supportive.

This bubbly and energetic young DJ has a total of five songs to his name, he said that it is too early for him to be talking about an album but he wishes to have one. He draws his inspiration from the legendary DJ cleo. Mbokodo’s dream is to see himself as a successful DJ and producing for different music genres.

Fun facts

·         Favourite song: Mobi Dixon ft Beritta- Ezizweni

·         Celebrity crush: Minnie Dlamini

·         Star sign: Gemini

·         Dream car: Ford focus St

·         Embarrassing moment: When I failed my first Public Relations test

Let it be child protection week everyday

Child protection week 2017 was launched on the 27^th of May and will be running till the 2^nd of June. The aim of this week is to raise awareness around children’s rights and mobilising all sectors of society to care for and protect children.

In this week it is in our power to make sure that the children are free from abuse, violence and neglect and give them safety, security and protection. We know that children are trusting and are unable to fight for themselves or even speak up when being abused.

What saddens me is that we have parents who do not care about their childrens’ where abouts. A child should not spend more than two hours without their parents knowing where they are, what are they doing and who are they with. I am saying this because in most cases the people that rape and kill the children are the people close to their families, because everyone thinks that they can trust them.

We have heard talks that “It should be child protection week every day” trust me I do agree with that, why do we only need a week to protect and care for the kids? It is in this week only that we find the police giving us tips on how to make sure that our children are safe, this is the only week we hear the department of social development giving long speeches about protecting children, what about the rest of the year? It has to really stop. 

Well, I am not a parent yet, but when I decide to have kids I want them to grow up in an environment that has really low or zero crime. I want them to grow up in a nurturing household, living a happy life without me having to worry about them being abused by some stranger. The safety of our children should really be our priority as parents, yes I included myself there. You know what they: “It takes a village to raise a child.” I want to teach my kids not to accept anything from anybody, especially strangers.

It is within the children’s safety to know their full names, age, and their parents’ cell numbers. Do not allow your children to accept gifts from strangers or engage in a conversation with them. Do allow them to play with other kids though.

How can parents make sure that their children are safe?

·         Know where your children at all times.

·         Know their friends and places they visit.

·         Never leave them unattended in a public place or vehicle.

·         Listen to your children, especially when they tell you they do not want to be with someone or go somewhere.

·         Teach them they have a right to say no.

·         Teach them to kick, resist and scream when strangers take them by force.

Let us protect our children because they are the future.

Report child abuse call: 0800 055 555

The colorful Nguni culture on Takkies

Melody Mazibuko of Soshanguve Block H is a young dedicated entrepreneur who is a great example of a true hustler. She never allowed her situation to define her; however she rose above her difficulties and managed to survive against all odds. Mazibuko paints tekkies in all the Nguni colours and she has managed to make it a successful business.

This 28 year old said that she started her painting business out frustration after being academically excluded from the University of Pretoria. Mazibuko said that when she was academically excluded she was told to go and find herself, and she eventually did, hence she felt good when painting and writing. She said that the only way she could make money was painting, but it was not moving until she tried something new with her mom, Ntombikayise Skosana. “My mom has always been a painter, she used to paint on the walls until one day I pitched an idea that we do something together,” said Mazibuko. “People loved what we did, and we have been enjoying since then.”

Mazibuko who was born in Embalehle, Mpumalanga defined herself as a talkative person, fun, loving and very artistic, she said: “I love expressing myself, whether in an artistic way or writing.” Her friends have named her ‘MelodyYaTshwane’ which means the verse of hope and the tune of reason.

Mazibuko was sceptical about the business, thinking that people won’t like her paintings, especially on tekkies. “I had internal battles up until I decided to try and she what happens. I remember posting a picture of my painted tekkies on Facebook and waiting anxiously for likes, and to my surprise I got more than a thousand likes,” she explained.                                                                                                                   

“Orders started coming in and we could not sleep that night.”      

She has painted tekkies for clients in Cape Town and even in Germany. Mazibuko said that what sets her apart from her competitors is that she is doing this out of love. She said that her dream is to have an art institute around Pretoria, specifically in a township and have different artists showcasing their work in a corporate setting.

DJ Sbu introduces his own radio station

Can I just say that Sibusiso “DJ Sbu” Leope is a perfect example for hustle and hard work? He has really shown the youth of South Africa that you can achieve anything with hard work and just dreaming big. He thrives on giving back to the youth of South Africa and gives motivational talks to disadvantaged schools.

This former Metro FM DJ launched his own online radio station, Massiv Metro FM on 02 May 2017. What makes Massiv Metro so unique from other online radio stations is that it targets taxi commuters and will offer them free WI-FI to have access to the internet. We all know that he was axed on Metro FM after he promoted his own energy drink during the radio station’s event, MoFaya which seems to be doing very well at this point. He started the energy drink an few years ago; he has at some point taken to the streets to personally sell it to people passing by the streets of Johannesburg.   

I love that he has fresh and new talent from Varsities and community radio stations. This guy just keeps on breaking boundaries and inspiring the world. It is said that the radio station will feature Kaizer Chiefs ex star Jabu Mahlangu as a sports presenter.

DJ Sbu has a number of projects in his hands such as leadership 2020 and giving back to communities. He used to be on radio and he now owns one now that is so inspiring. He is hosting the morning show 5-9am weekdays, Daluxolo Jalmeni from Link FM and Sonia Mokheseng from Thetha FM 9am-12pm, Fats and DJ Mgedeza from Jozi FM 12-3pm. Thembi Seete, Celeste Ntuli and Zola 7 host “The 5 Hour Drive” 3-8pm.

He has also announced the release of his second book, Billionaires under construction: The mindset of an entrepreneur.  Leope is follows Thabo “Tbo Touch” Molefe and Gareth Cliff who have also been on radio but now own online radio stations.

TUT MissPlus Size 2017

Photos: Captured Motion Photography