DJ Fresh Biography: Radio Award, Real Name, Age, Early Life, Wife, Family, Songs & Albums, Metro FM Controversy, Love Child, Net worth - Updated, 20 April 2020
Find out how DJ Fresh turned a hobby into successful career.
DJ Fresh’s biography should be used as a step-by-step guide on how to make it big in radio.
After more than 30 years in the industry, DJ Fresh remains one of the most sought-after deejays in Africa.
The Botswana born radio personality started deejaying at the age of 13. His first gig was a social event at his boarding school in Botswana.
He had his own radio show by the time he was 19. He worked for Botswana’s RB2 in 1992.
Two years later he won the Lemon Twits Radio DJ of the year award and the rest is history.
DJ Fresh Radio Award
Ever since his debut on 947, DJ Fresh has been killing it on the airwaves. Year after year the DJ keeps getting recognised for his amazing work not only locally, but internationally as well.
Proving yet again what a force he is the drive time Dj shined at this year's virtual Radio Awards. He walked away with the best afternoon drive presenter award. He beamed at his latest accomplishment.
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DJ Fresh said that after decades of doing radio, he still gets excited for each show like it was the first day on air. Dj Fresh proves yet again why he is the Big Dawg!
Though he's always behind the decks and most of the times, probably in shorts and sneakers, he pretty much knows how to clean up nice. Did you see him partake in the #DontRushChallenge with his fellow DJs? It's the best video thus far.
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DJ Fresh Real Name
DJ Fresh’s name is Thato Sikwane. His name, which means “love”, is popular in several African countries including Botswana, South Africa and Lesotho. The media personality is sometimes simply referred to as Fresh. He also goes by Big Dawg.
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DJ Fresh Age
DJ Fresh was born on October 15, 1972, in Gaborone, Botswana. The 46-year-old continues to be a force in the deejaying industry, despite his age. He is one of the most respected radio personalities in Africa, with both young and old admiring his talent. While many DJs lose their sparkle after 40, Fresh just gets better with time.
Fresh started deejaying in Botswana, but a move to South Africa helped take his career to the next level. The DJ travelled to the country in 1994 to pursue his studies. His father originally wanted him to be a lawyer, but he got bored with the course and decided to try something different when he moved to SA – journalism and advertising.
Fresh obtained a Media Studies diploma at Joburg’s Boston Media House. While completing his third year, he got the opportunity to work at YFM. He spent eight years at the station before moving to 5FM's popular Drive Time slot.
He remained at 5FM for more than 10 years before moving to Metro FM in 2017. The Fresh Breakfast Show became one of the station’s most-loved slots, with DJ Fresh and his co-hosts often trending on Twitter.
After just two years on Metro FM, Fresh took over 947’s Drive Time show in August 2019.
DJ Fresh is married to Thabiso Sikwane. The couple met in 1996 when they both worked at YFM. Thabiso was a newsreader at the time. They will be married for 17 years in 2019. Fresh credited “a lot of sex…preferably with your partner” and communication as the secret to his long-lasting marriage. While the couple has been pictured at several red-carpet events together, they are extremely private and rarely talk about their relationship.
Like her husband, Thabiso has also had a successful radio career. She has worked for Power FM and Kaya FM. Thabiso is also a trained swimming instructor and once owned her own swimming school.
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DJ Fresh Family
DJ Fresh and Thabiso have three children together. Fresh also has an older daughter from a previous relationship. The couple rarely shares pictures of their children, but his eldest daughter recently made an appearance on his Twitter page.
“When your first-born graduates, and you still have a 4-year-old to get through varsity!!! #ProudDay #DontNeedAnAccountantAnymore,” DJ Fresh tweeted.
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DJ Fresh Songs and Albums
DJ Fresh has released dozens of singles, including Afro Blue, Afro Samba, Promised Land. Fresh’s albums include Definition of House, Mzansi House, Fresh House Flava andDJ Ski VS Big Dawg.
He has performed in Miami, London, Moscow, Ibiza, and Dubai. Fresh has shared the stage with international DJs such as David Guetta, DJ Snake and South Africa’s DJ Black Coffee.
2019 was a year full of controversy for DJ Fresh. Metro FM took him off the air in June after a listener complained to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission (BCCSA) about the foul language he allegedly used during a live recording.
South Africa's media darling Bonang Matheba supported him during the incident and slammed the station for its treatment of its top talent. She famously resigned from Metro FM in 2017, hours after a line-up change affected her show.
"We’re gonna make an example ka wena’ is their favorite phase.... Horrible place to work," she tweeted when fans questioned the station's treatment of Fresh.
DJ Fresh and Metro FM failed to reach an agreement following the incident. He was given the axe in July. DJ Fresh joined 947 in August.
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DJ Fresh Love Child Drama
In 2015, the Sunday Sun claimed DJ Fresh had cheated on his wife and fathered a “love child” with his manager Tsholo Mosaka. He denied the reports and lodged a complaint with the SA Press Office.
“I do not have a child with her and must add I was not given fair opportunity to reply to any of the allegations either. The article correctly states that I was in Botswana - but no attempt was made to contact me at my hotel and no attempt was made to obtain contact details for me in Botswana from my wife, my manager or anybody else. There was no attempt to contact me through social media," he said in a statement.
DJ Fresh Net Worth
DJ Fresh’s exact net worth is unknown but is one of the highest paid entertainers in South Africa. Aside from being a successful radio presenter and DJ, Fresh is also a businessman. He has his own company called Big Dawg Productions. The studio and record label has been successfully operating for many years now. Fresh also has a joint venture with DJ Euphonik called F.Eu
According to a 2019 Sunday World report, DJ Fresh’s hourly rate at Metro FM was around R3 600, which means he earned over R200 000 a month. But his radio salary only makes up a quarter of his monthly earnings.
He earns tens of thousands of Rands for MC and motivational speaking events. Fresh is believed to make between R50 000 and R120 000 per deejaying gig.
His key to financial security is saving. DJ Fresh says he has been saving 20% to 30% of his salary for years. His rainy-day savings came in handy when he had to survive two months without a salary in June and July this year.
