Music and fun lovers thoroughly enjoy the 30-minute “Muvango wa Vhege” mix-tape creativity on Fridays on the national radio station Phalaphala FM. But who is the man behind the mixing table? Limpopo Mirror traced Ndiafhi Nethonzhe (41) and asked him to share with readers how he crafted his way to fame in the tough entertainment industry.
Famously known as DJ Dogmore, Nethonzhe was born in Tswinga outside Thohoyandou and now lives in Muledane. This is also where we found him on Sunday morning. Nethonzhe explained how he fell in love with music: “My love for music started while I was still a learner at Mahwasane Primary School. At home, my mother, Vho Tshavhungwe Tshikororo, used to make and sell traditional beer, and I was the one who played cassettes on a tape deck for her customers. Due to my family’s poor background, I could not afford proper DJ equipment, but I used whatever I came across to make a good sound while I was at Sam Mavhina High School.”
He said as he grew up, he was inspired by role models such as DJ Cleo, DJ Fresh, and Oskido. “My life changed for the better when I met Mulalo Madadzhe and DJ Khoro, who gave me opportunities to work with them when they performed at their gigs. My association with DJ House Gig, DJ Mpho Phala, and DJ Fox opened many opportunities and led to me being invited to become a resident DJ in various entertainment establishments. This helped me to save enough money to buy proper equipment and a sound system, which I now hire out for various occasions where I also serve as a DJ.”
He says besides occasionally mixing tapes for Phalaphala FM, he also does the same for local community radio station Vhembe FM. He believes that, to be a creative DJ, having a thorough knowledge of all music genres is important. “My audience includes both young and old, with different cultures and traditions, and I make sure that I satisfy them all. I must always keep an eye on the new music trends and new releases, so that I can mix my tapes with creativity.”
He advises those who want to follow in his footsteps to have a passion for what they do. “If you love what you do, manage your time effectively, and treat your customers with love and respect, success will automatically follow you.”
