“Ek sê kykie my broe, al daai dinge moet tjy los, want die geld kon geganit het vir die wiek se kos…”

If you were a youngster in the nineties, you would be rapping along with the lyrics to the Prophets of da City songs and dancing to the beats created by legendary DJ Ready D.

Grandmaster

Ready D, whose birth name is Deon Daniels, is a Grandmaster at spinning the decks and controlling thousands of people with his sounds, but with the local government elections around the corner he has thrown his hat (or trademark cap) into the ring to become mayor of Cape Town as the candidate for the People’s Movement for Change.

But first things first, what should the electorate call the politician? “You are welcome to call me by my birth name, Deon Daniels. Grandmaster Ready D represents a significant part of my journey, my contribution to the South African music landscape, and the work I have done with communities and young people. But ultimately, whether you call me Deon or Ready D, I remain the same person with the same values,” says Daniels in response to TygerBurger’s questions.

Why politics, his fans might ask. “For me, this decision is not about wanting a political title. It is about reaching a point in my life where I believe my experience, relationships, and understanding of communities can contribute to meaningful change. I have spent decades working with people, particularly young people, and creating opportunities through music, education, community development, and mentorship. I have seen both the challenges people face and the incredible potential that exists within our communities. I also believe that if good people continue to stand outside the system because they are disillusioned by politics, we leave the space open for the very things we complain about. I am stepping forward because I believe we can do politics differently with humility, transparency, accountability, and a genuine focus on solving problems.”

Daniels does not fear that politics may taint his legacy. “I understand that concern, and it is probably one of the most important questions I have been asked. Politics has unfortunately been portrayed as a dirty game, and over time individuals have certainly contributed to that perception. But I don’t believe politics itself has to be dirty. People determine the character of politics. I come into this with a clean slate, clean intentions, and nothing to prove other than what I can contribute.

Legacy

“My legacy wasn’t built overnight. It was built over decades of consistency, hard work, community involvement, and remaining true to who I am. I am not prepared to compromise that. If anything, I believe my legacy gives me a responsibility to use the platform I have built to do more. I am not entering politics to protect my legacy. I am entering because I believe the next chapter of my life should be about creating a legacy of opportunity for others,” Daniels explained.

Besides being one of the best DJs South Africa has ever produced, Daniels has always been a man for the community. “My community work has been running alongside my career for many years. Through the Great Cape Ambassadors Program (GCAP) and its various initiatives, we have worked with young people around education, mentorship, music, creativity, road safety, skills development, and creating platforms where young people can discover their potential. Through the Beatbangaz DJ Academy, we use DJing as a vehicle for skills development, mentorship, and personal growth. We have worked with young people from communities that don’t always have access to opportunities, equipment, networks, or spaces. Our road safety initiatives have also allowed us to connect with young people through something they understand and enjoy such as music, cars, motorsport, and culture, while having serious conversations about responsible behaviour and safer communities. I have also worked extensively with young people internationally, and that has reinforced something I strongly believe: talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t. That is one of the things I want to change.”

Listen

Daniels says if elected, his first mission would be to listen. “Before making promises, I want to understand what residents, communities, businesses, workers, and young people experience every day. I would want a clear picture of where the City is succeeding, where it is failing, and where we can make immediate improvements. My five main priorities would be creating opportunities and growing the local economy, safer communities, youth development, better basic services and accountable governance, and building a more connected and inclusive Cape Town.”

He says Cape Town has enormous potential, but opportunity must not be concentrated in certain areas or communities. “We need to connect people to opportunities, infrastructure, markets, education, and investment. Ultimately, my approach is simple: people before politics, solutions over division, and opportunity over empty promises. I think what sets me apart is that I am not entering this journey as a career politician. I come from the community. I have experienced displacement, hardship, and the challenges that many ordinary Capetonians understand. I know what it means to start with very little and have to create opportunities for yourself.

Relationship

“I have spent decades building relationships across music, broadcasting, business, government, community organisations, and youth development. I have worked with people from various backgrounds and learned that you don’t have to agree with someone to respect them or work with them. I also don’t believe I have all the answers, and I think that is important. Leadership is not about knowing everything. It is about knowing how to listen, bringing the right people into the room, making informed decisions, and being accountable for the outcome. I am not entering politics as a saviour. I am entering as someone who believes Cape Town has enormous potential and that its people deserve leadership that listens, creates opportunities, gets things done, and puts people before politics.”

Whether you call him Grandmaster Ready D or Deon Daniels, he is focusing on changing lives. “My past explains why I am here. It does not define where I am going. I am looking forward, and I want to help build a future where our young people have more opportunities than the generations before them.”

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