A METRO police constable, based in Port Elizabeth, has recently won the Eastern Cape Music Award for best community radio DJ of the year, representing Ngqushwa FM.
Thembelani Sikilishe, more commonly known as DJ Jikijwa, won the Nelson Mandela Bay music awards for Best Radio DJ last year. After this win, he was nominated for the South African Traditional awards finals in Mafikeng.
“I’ve won two awards in my radio career and I’m happy to achieve them within such a short time.
“I am so grateful for this achievement and it shows that people are acknowledging the efforts I make in promoting maskandi music in the whole of South Africa,” DJ Jikijwa said.
Born and raised in Willowvale in the former Transkei and currently residing in Zwide in PE, DJ Jikijwa grew up playing traditional music with a guitar and only listening to maskandi music.
“That was the only music that connected with me as I grew up outside urban areas. It connected with my roots and in a language that I speak fluently,” he said.
DJ Jikijwa’s biggest dream as a child was to become a radio DJ and to explore traditional music in the radio industry.
“I love traditional music also called, maskandi music. I have a passion for it. When I am on the airwaves, I feel like I’m in a different world. In 2004, I’ve heard that there was a community radio station in Zwide. I started listening it and eventually ended up shadowing a maskandi DJ there,” he added.
The award-winning DJ produces music that keeps him grounded to his cultural identity.
He said, “I don’t want to forget my roots because a tree without roots will collapse. It was never easy to get on radio because I grew up in the rural areas where it’s not easy to get to town and to access information. We had no electricity or tar roads.”
DJ Jikijwa joined the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Police in 2016 and graduated with a BA degree in Development Studies at the Nelson Mandela University.
“Currently, I’m on the brink of finishing my Honours in Development Studies at Nelson Mandela University and will continue to study – I want to achieve so much more in life.”
His passion for radio has led him on a path of determination and striving to play music on a national level.
He said, “I love radio and maskandi music and I’m prepared to take my radio career to a higher level and, hopefully, win many more trophies. I feel happy and honoured for winning the award.
“It shows that people are recognising and appreciating the efforts I make in promoting and developing maskandi music from grass roots to a higher level.
“I will continue to play music that inspires others,” he said.
