Thabo “Tbo Touch” Molefe is heading into a period of reinvention as he prepares to stage the fifth edition of Replenishment in Sandton. The broadcaster, DJ and entrepreneur is expanding his creative horizons beyond the annual gospel gathering, while also venturing into the AfroTech space. Gospel stars, acclaimed performers and families are set to fill Sandown High School on 31 October for an event that marks a fresh phase for the growing celebration.
For Tbo Touch, Replenishment has always represented far more than a live music event. It reflects the principles that shaped his upbringing, when faith was expressed through daily generosity and his family home served as a welcoming place for prayer, encouragement and support. The concept first emerged as a gospel feature on his radio programme before developing into an in-person gathering where audiences could experience worship and music together.
“Replenishment has become a place that people come back to for hope and connection,” he says.
He wants the event to continue evolving without losing sight of its founding purpose: ensuring guests leave feeling spiritually and emotionally refreshed.
This year’s edition relocates from Centurion to the upper field at Sandown High School, situated at the intersection of Rivonia Road and Grayston Drive. Judith Sephuma, Joyous Celebration, Kabelo Mabalane, Everton Mlalazi, Xolly Mncwango, Dr Tumi, Nothando Hlophe, Mmatema, Sbu Noah, Jumbo, The Jesus Collective and Khaya Mthethwa are among the artists scheduled to perform. Families are also being considered in the event design, with a children’s activity space and childminding services available on the day.
“Johannesburg is a meeting point for commerce, culture and people with many different stories,” he says. “I want families to enjoy the performances together, feel included and go home with fresh energy. The aim is to make it a day for parents and children alike, where faith feels open and approachable.”
Expanding from radio into AfroTech
Tbo Touch has never viewed his career through the lens of one genre. His early hip-hop work, including Metro FM programmes Rhyme and Reason and Pimp My Fridays, helped define his reputation as a DJ and broadcaster able to connect listeners with music, culture and artists. He continues that role through The Touchdown on Metro FM, where he brings together performers, audiences and conversations.
He is now broadening that musical profile even further.
On Friday, 10 October, he unveiled an AfroTech track called Flow, featuring Sons of Rhythm and Mariechan. The song centres on seeking calm amid disorder and working out what freedom truly feels like, using AfroTech’s pulse and momentum to deliver its message.
“The difficult part is giving myself permission to become a student again,” he says. “People may associate you with one particular sound and expect you to remain there. In AfroTech, I need to honour the genre, pay attention and collaborate with people who truly know the craft.”
That readiness to learn again stands out for a public figure whose image has long been tied to self-assurance and professional experience. He says his time spent in both South Africa and New York introduced him to a wider range of sounds and audiences, while radio taught him that charisma alone cannot sustain a career.
“You might be the most confident personality in the room, but you still have to understand the person listening on the other side of the microphone,” he says.
Beyond his public work, Tbo Touch remains mindful of the pressures involved in raising a family while building businesses. He says people may see the familiar media figure, but not always the behind-the-scenes work of running a company and making choices without certainty of success.
His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs comes directly from those experiences: use rejection as a lesson, know the financial details and honour commitments.
“My family is still at the heart of why I work,” he says. “Creating opportunities for my children is important, but being there for them and handing down values matters just as much.”
Rather than measuring success only through the next career achievement, Tbo Touch is focused on the projects he creates, the people he impacts and the example he sets within his home.
