The Tembisan recently met up with DJ Hlathi and gained some insight about who he really is.
The DJ, affectionately known to many as Hlathi Baby, said the following:
Tembisan: Tell us about Hlathi?
Hlathi: Hlathi Lebeko is an ordinary guy from e-Kasi. I grew up in Mashimong and went to live in Phomolong. Hlathi is a man who is proud of the township and that is why he does his work, eKasi. I explore and whatever I learn from the outside world I bring to Tembisa to experiment with. Hlathi has come up with successful youth events in Tembisa. The events are supported mainly by the youth. Hlathi works together with his business partner DJ Shimza.
Tembisan: What do you do exactly?
Hlathi: I am a DJ, a businessman and I co-ordinate Tembisa events to see Tembisa socialites.
Tembisan: How did you get into this line of business?
Hlathi: The love of music drew me into this business. My passion developed and I started pushing myself. I always wanted to be my own boss. To young people, I want to say that whatever talent God gave you, don’t doubt it because God gave it to you for a reason. Talent must not go to waste; use it.
Tembisan: When did you start this DJ job?
Hlathi: I started to DJ in 2007, but before that I tried the taxi businesses. I had ventures but I was too young for the business. I couldn’t deal with the challenges of the taxi industry on daily basis. I quit and pursued music.
Tembisan: Who taught you how to play?
Hlathi: DJ Dosantos taught me how to play and people like DJ Fingers, DJ Khumza and my fellow partner DJ Shimza were there to polish my skills. I was surrounded by amazing talent. There was no way I couldn’t make it as a DJ.
Tembisan: What contribution do you have to young people?
Hlathi: I have so many children looking up to me. All the events we hold we try to involve the youth to empower them in terms of job creation.
Tembisan: What advice do you have for young people?
Hlathi: Young people must learn to set their priorities straight and one of the main priorities is school. It is no use being a superstar if you cannot even construct a sentence.
Tembisan: Do you have any vision of teaching the skill to young people?
Hlathi: Definitely, but that would be more focused on developing female DJs, as there are not many.
