LIMELIGHT: Home is where it is for Gqeberha-born DJ, who opted rather to establish a name for himself in his native coastal town rather than join exodus to Joburg…

By Siyabonga Kamnqa

EASTERN Cape musicians often have to move to Johannesburg ‘the City of Gold’ in order to fulfil their music ambitions. The list is endless – Zahara, DJ Heavy K, Vusi Nova, Zonke – they all had to pack their bags and trek to Gauteng in order to make it big in the music industry.

But Gqeberha-born house deejay, composer and producer Siphelo Mathebe (aka Ultronic SA), believes artists from the Eastern Cape are capable of producing good quality music from their own province.

The 27-year-old, who hails from Ezinyoka township in Gqeberha – has been riding the crest of a wave in the house music industry ever since bursting into the scene in 2018.

He has already shared the stage with renowned Mzansi deejays such as DJ Zinhle, Heavy K, KOTW and Yanga Chief.

“Sharing the stage with all these giants of the industry was a huge honour. It was not only a confidence booster but an assurance that I am also capable of entertaining people. The response from my fans has also been magnificent,” he said.

On why he believes that artists from the Eastern Cape don’t have to move to Joburg in order to make it big in the industry, Ultonic SA says, “We need to look no further than Durban”.

He adds: “You just have to look at what KZN artists such as DJ Tira, DJ Bongs, L’vovo and Big Nuz have done over the years. They have proven that it is not all about moving to Joburg, but you too creating the magic from our own backyard”.

Growing up idolising house deejay legends such as Black Coffee and Oskido, Ultronic SA started out in the industry in 2018 when, upon meeting DJ Mdix (hitmaker of “Umvulo” featuring Zanda Zakuza), he produced hit songs like Mpintshi Yam (by DJ Mdix featuring Professor) and Ixesha (by DJ Mdix featuring Mawande).

“During the same year, I released my first single titled Uzongikhumbula, featuring DJ Mdix, Fey and Jay Sax. The single was well received by my fans and was on high rotation on the radio,” he said.

The year 2019 saw a release of a number of his singles including Vuma by Magnetic Deejays feauturing Manqonqo and Ilizwe feauturing Thembi Mona which he says is available on all digital platforms.

The soft-spoken deejay has also played on Umhlobo Wenene, Ndlambe FM, and Nkqubela FM.

Despite facing the problem of substance abuse and crime, Ultronic SA says there is a lot of music talent in his Ezinoka township that still needs to be unearthed.

“There are a lot of talented guys and girls here. I believe after seeing one of their own making a success and career out amapiano they are gonna be inspired and keep pushing no matter how difficult it can get. Our area is looming with crime and most of these people do have talent. Some were good soccer players that never got the recognition and some were musicians but because they had been trying so hard and music wasn’t paying, they quickly resorted to crime as a means of survival. However, I believe hope could be restored should amapiano make a success out of my home town,” he said.

HOW MOFAYA GAVE ‘FIRELESS’ SBU HIS MOJO

DYNAMIC: Once on the brink, the down-at-heel DJ contemplated taking his own life; then  the fire in the belly kicked in…

By Priscilla Malinga

DJ Sbu was the highlight of the events I attended last week based on inspiring and promoting entrepreneurship in Youth and those who are starters

First it was the Bambelela Business awards that took place at the lavish Indaba Hotel, north of Joburg, where awards were handed over to small businesses brought by The Hollywood Foundation, through its Enterprise and Supplier Development program.

This prestigious event brought together a dynamic array of stakeholders, government officials, public figures, and ambitious young entrepreneurs. The day’s highlight was a keynote address on ‘creating a bankable business plan’ by venture capitalist Lebo Gunguluza, followed by a dynamic pitching for funding session facilitated by the renowned DJ Sbu.

Themed “Bambelela (Hold On) – Your Dreams Are Valid,” the awards recognised local heroes impacting Gauteng’s communities. The festivities commenced with a SMME exhibition and seminar on November 20 facilitated by Nolwazi Shange, SAFTA award-winning actress, casting director and digital marketer. The seminar featured engaging talks on upscaling businesses, accessing markets, funding and managing financial resources.

Local businesses seized the opportunity to showcase their work and presented business ideas to the esteemed panel of judges, including NYDA regional manager Rebone Majola, Lebo Gunguluza and Dr Thabo Pitse, among others. Judging criteria included team strength, sector relevance, experience, revenue generation, and community impact.

Prize winners included MiDesk Global (Pty) Ltd,  which took the main prize of a whooping R100 000, followed by the first runner-up, Gebas Wheelchairs Repair & Manufacturing which scored R70 000, and  the second runner-up  took R50 000 LXIONFUTUREFM. Seventeen other winners each took home R30 000 included Appto (Pty) Ltd, Rams Professional Training and Conferencing (Angela Care), Tlotlokgolo Business Investments Pty Ltd, Ukuhamba (Pty) Ltd, Borotho Bakery Enterprise Pty Ltd, Moko Originals Melinthea Herbal Living Wellness Products amongst others.

Next event was the Mofaya Media launch, which took place at Rockets in Bryanston, where a new Mofaya variant was unveiled at a function before media personalities and other guests. The variant, Berry Queen, was made in collaboration with the reigning Miss SA Natasha Joubert.

“It is quite an honour to see a new generation taking part in the sales of Mofaya.” Said Dj Sbu. “When the company started people who are very knowledgeable with marketing and branding wanted to know how am I going to disassociate the brand Dj Sbu from the Mofaya brand to make sure that it develops a life of its own? I guess the story is now telling itself”.

“We can see a younger generation in the form of Miss SA Natasha Joubert, a role model to a lot of young girls, and how we are empowering young girls and women and also make the brand evolve, not only just to be seen as a street brand but associating with Miss SA gives it flair, class and elegance,” he adds.

Meanwhile Robot Bii has always been Dj Sbu’s mentee. When Dj Sbu used to sell Mofaya on the street, Robot Boii was the one shooting the videos. “He didn’t want to shine at the time but he had told me he can rap, play drums and dance; and that he is a comedian; and he can also act,” says DJ Sbu.  He took him under his wing and leadership in 2020. They started a radio station Massive Metro and he was his understudy there, and everything he learned he learned it there. When the time was right during the lockdown and while working at Massive Radio, DJ Shimza came for an interview and introduced them to each other, and they built a relationship of their own.

 At that time, DJ Shimza was launching a show called ‘Lockdown’ for Djs and gave Robot Boii an opportunity to host the show.  “It wasn’t always like this, before the lockdown in 2014, he lost everything. “I lost my cars, my house, my investments, everything, my energy and emotions into this business,” says Dj Sbu. “I thought it would be easy because I was famous and I was successful.  I was in music and on radio, (yet) little did I know what I was getting myself into. It has become the most difficult thing I ever had to do. If I was a weak person at some point I would have killed myself. I had serious financial problems. There was a time when I didn’t even have a car and had to use taxis.”

All his cars were repossessed and he lost his home and became a laughing stock.  People were mocking him, saying he was selling on the streets and growing his hair like a hobo because he was broke. “These were not comments from people around me like friends and family, as a famous person it was absolutely everyone as I had to deal with them in the public eye,” he says. The comments were being seen by millions of people every day which made him feel naked.

“It has been 10 years since I started this business, but it’s only now that I see where I am heading with it,” says Dj Sbu.  He wants to encourage people out there not to despair should they go through moments like these and feel like giving up.

“Some will also be tempted to kill themselves; some will feel like giving up to go look for a job. They are going to feel like people don’t love them, and don’t support them. You are going to be mad at your family and friends, but as time goes you will understand how really strong you are,” he says.

People never realise their capabilities or full potential and strength until they have their backs against the wall. “I have been through it all because I knew it was bigger than me, it is for South African youth. There were nights when I used to cry and there were days when I used to sell Mofaya and people thought I was just doing stunts for marketing purposes, but what they didn’t know was that I really needed that money. I used to take 30 cases and say I need to sell all of them because I was approaching month end, and the school fees and bills were due,” he says.

“If we do not take a chance, who is going to break the circle of poverty?  It is us who have to and I am glad to see young people embracing being entrepreneurs and seeing others starting their businesses, and there is always light at the end of the tunnel. God will tell you where you are heading but he will never tell you how the journey is going to be like. because, if He were to warn us of the challenges ahead, we might end up not taking that journey. I went with the vision and didn’t anticipate the journey. I want people to be inspired and to do better”.