Birchleigh DJ turns lifelong passion for music into reality in his 40s

For Birchleigh resident Gerhard Beukes, becoming a DJ has always been more than a dream, it has been a lifelong passion finally realised in his 40s.

Although he works as a technician at a spray booth company, music has always been his escape and greatest joy.

Born and raised in Elsburg, Beukes later moved to Orkney in the North West, where he matriculated before returning to Johannesburg. His love for mixing music began early.

“I got my first crossfader mixer as a Christmas present when I was 12,” Beukes recalled.

“I started mixing songs from two different CD players. Remember, back then it was all CDs and tapes, no USBs. It became an obsession to match beats and sounds.”

In the 1990s, Beukes began DJing at weddings, house parties and school events. Armed with his equipment loaded onto a 1400 bakkie, he played wherever he could, building his skills and following one gig at a time.

“Back then, my friends knew I loved to DJ, but it was a small circle,” he said. “Now, it’s amazing to see how things have grown. I can only thank God for the crowds we get. It’s the best feeling seeing people get off their rockers to the music I play.”

Beukes credits friends Ryno Labuschagne and Kent Weymouth for helping him book regular gigs, along with the support of well-known DJs such as DJ Cristo, Martin Raath and others.

He said his sets are tailored to suit each event, but his personal favourites include trance, dance, club music and remixes, especially old-school and Afrikaans remixes that keep the crowd moving.

“My goal is simple, to be known as a local party starter,” said Beukes. “I just want people to have a good time and forget about everything negative for a while.”

One of his biggest career highlights was performing at Jagkamp Modimolle alongside singer Pieter Smith.

“After Pieter’s live show, he announced on the mic in front of everyone that I’d be taking over for the rest of the night as one of the best DJs he knows,” Beukes said. “That’s a feeling you can’t explain, it felt like I finally made it.”

He also fondly remembers a night playing at Granadillas in Pomona, where one woman danced with a chair balanced on her head, a moment he says perfectly captured the joy music brings.

Beukes said his love for music was sparked by listening to late-night radio shows that featured live club broadcasts on 5FM.

“Hearing those mixes made me feel like I wanted to be in the crowd, part of that energy,” he said. “I also want to thank a few special people, my wife Chantelle Potgieter, Ryno Labuschagne, Kent Weymouth, Pieter Smith, Martin Raath, DJ Cristo and DJ Prezz. Their support means everything.”