DJ Fresh is set to begin a fresh morning-radio era, stepping in as the new breakfast show host on Kaya 959 following Sizwe Dhlomo’s departure. The move marks a major shift for the DJ and broadcaster, who says the decision wasn’t simple—but ultimately became the right fit for both his professional path and his family life.
DJ Fresh’s exit from 938 and the road to Kaya 959
- DJ Fresh announced his next step by sending a goodbye WhatsApp message to colleagues at 938 on Monday.
- In the message, he described leaving as difficult, explaining that it came down to “personal and financial” reasons.
- Fresh later shared that he began discussions with Kaya 959 early in the previous year, but he wasn’t fully convinced at the time because he was deeply invested in building 938.
- He said he ultimately signed on because, for him, the choice aligned with both career direction and responsibilities at home.
Fresh framed the decision in terms of purpose and alignment, saying he has always been driven by a “why.” He described the Kaya 959 opportunity as a sense of coming home to the kind of commercial breakfast radio he feels most energized by, adding that it doesn’t feel like a return after disappearing so much as a homecoming to what he’s passionate about.
He also explained that while he was open to the idea, his commitment to the 938 build—its dream and vision—kept him from fully committing right away. Fresh said circumstances shifted and he reached a point where he needed to choose what served his family and his career best.
Fresh emphasized that breakfast radio and podcasting aren’t competing for the same space, describing them instead as two “rooms” in the same “house.” In his view, radio offers reach and rhythm, while the podcast format allows for deeper, longer conversations that wouldn’t fit into a three-hour, music-led breakfast slot.
From early radio days to a “360” moment
DJ Fresh said his radio journey began when he was 19, working at YFM alongside Thato Mataboge and Mpho Maboi. He described the Kaya 959 step as a “360” moment, linking his current opportunity to the origins of his career.
He added that the deal’s clarity played a big part in his decision, noting that Kaya 959’s team was straightforward about what it wanted, the terms, and how breakfast would be repositioned and shaped at the station.
Fresh also praised the existing team, calling it a “dream team,” and pointed out that the breakfast show is effectively decades in the making—citing that he and Thato started at YFM in 2001, while Mpho, who was initially a listener, joined in 2004 to handle traffic. He said the timing of the opportunity felt right and that it’s exactly what it’s supposed to be.
Metro FM contract fallout, 2019 dispute, and the pivot to podcasting
Fresh’s commercial-radio history includes a previous stint as the breakfast show host on Metro FM. However, his contract was terminated in 2019 after a three-week dispute tied to his use of “foul language” on air, which led to a complaint being filed with the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of SA.
Despite that setback, he continued building his presence, launching the podcast WAW! (What A Week) and taking on DJ gigs. He later helped launch 938 in April 2025, keeping momentum while developing new creative platforms.
On the podcast’s role, Fresh said WAW is his own intellectual property and creative space, serving a different purpose from breakfast radio. He reiterated that he sees the two formats as complementary rather than rivals—radio brings reach and energy, while the podcast provides depth and a level of freedom he says radio can’t offer.
Fresh also addressed his approach to controversy, saying it’s not about vindication. He described his public life as a continuation of who he is, stating that while platforms evolve, he hasn’t changed and will keep showing up.
Personal life, legal matters, and moving forward
While DJ Fresh has faced headlines over the years, he said living his truth has helped him keep going. He shared that he has continued raising his kids, creating content, and addressing legal matters through the proper channels when needed—adding that, in his view, the results speak for themselves.
He returned to the same message of continuity, saying the platform may have shifted or evolved, but he has remained present and intends to stay that way.
Fresh House Flava: Volume 1 launch and Volume 2 plans
Beyond radio, Fresh has been keeping fans engaged through his music-focused events. On May 9, he launched Fresh House Flava Volume 1 at Truth Nightclub, where supporters gathered to celebrate the return of one of his well-known house music movements.
He is now preparing Volume 2, The Mad Half Hour Warriors edition, which will bring back some of the DJs and personalities who helped shape one of the most influential eras in South African radio and dance music culture. The lineup he referenced includes DJ Sbu, DJ Cleo, DJ Mbuso and Clive Bean.
Fresh said fans have long asked about the Fresh House Flava CDs, vinyl releases, and the music that helped form lasting memories. He said he realized the events weren’t only nostalgia—people were reconnecting with an important part of South African culture.
He described the gatherings as a way of celebrating and thanking supporters who have carried the brand for decades, insisting that Fresh House Flava has always been bigger than music. For him, it’s about identity, memories, and togetherness—something he hopes to keep building with the next volume.
