South African breakfast radio is gearing up for another shake-up, with Kaya FM confirming the return of one of the format’s best-known voices. DJ Fresh—whose real name is Thato Sikwane—has been tapped to step into the station’s much-loved morning slot after Sizwe Dhlomo’s departure.
Key takeaways
- Kaya FM has announced that DJ Fresh, real name Thato Sikwane, will take over its flagship weekday breakfast show.
- Sizwe Dhlomo announced his exit from the station on air during the broadcast of Siz The World on 27 May 2026.
- Fresh’s breakfast takeover is set to begin on 1 July 2026, with Thomas Msengana covering June.
- DJ Fresh previously shifted away from mainstream radio and expanded his presence through the podcast What A Week (WAW).
- Kaya 959 and executives have framed the move as a major talent acquisition for South African radio.
Dhlomo’s exit sets the stage
The change follows a dramatic transition period for Kaya 959. Dhlomo, a prominent figure on the breakfast show, surprised listeners on 27 May 2026 when he revealed live on air that he would be leaving the station after nearly six years.
He explained that he had spent a full year shaping the decision, and that his contract was due to run out at the close of June.
During the in-between period, Thomas Msengana will hold the fort throughout June, before DJ Fresh officially takes over the flagship weekday breakfast program from 1 July 2026.
Fresh explains the move—and what breakfast radio means to him
Speaking about the transition, DJ Fresh said the decision is deeply connected to purpose and personal alignment. He described the shift as a kind of “homecoming” to the type of work he feels most energized by—commercial breakfast radio.
He added that while the move may not be a “comeback” in the sense of stepping away and returning, it does represent a return to a format he loves, saying he feels “the most alive” in that space.
The latest chapter is also not the first major reinvention in Fresh’s career. While he became a household name through some of South Africa’s biggest radio platforms, he later stepped away from mainstream radio to explore different presentation styles—particularly through his podcast, What A Week (WAW).
Looking at how podcasting fits alongside his newest role, Fresh said he sees breakfast radio and podcasts as complementary rather than competing. He argued that breakfast radio offers reach, while a podcast provides depth, comparing the two mediums to “two rooms in the same house.”
Building 938 and the Kaya 959 return
Fresh also invested significant time in growing 938, a community radio station he co-founded with broadcaster Unathi Nkayi. The partnership traces back to their earlier collaboration at 93.8FM, a community station run by broadcasting veteran Greg Maloka, who is also managing director of Kaya FM.
938 officially launched on 18 July 2025. Nkayi took the afternoon drive-time slot, while Fresh led the morning show. Fresh has described the project as one he was deeply committed to, even before the Kaya 959 opportunity became too important to pass up.
In an announcement on its website, Kaya 959 called the appointment one of the most significant talent acquisitions in South African radio. The station positioned the new breakfast show as a mix of music, lively conversation, discussions on current topics, humour, lifestyle coverage, and—most importantly—the personality that has helped Fresh remain one of the country’s most established media figures.
Acting Managing Executive Dave Tiltmann also praised the move, saying DJ Fresh is among the most influential broadcasters South Africa has produced, and that his connection with audiences is unmatched. Tiltmann added that Fresh’s arrival signals an exciting new era for Kaya 959.
