Smash a uniquely ‘Afrikan’ vibe
NORTHCLIFF MELVILLE TIMES – Far from a boring radio and TV personality, Smash Afrika (Afrika Similo Mdutyulwa) is not only killing it on the entertainment scene, he’s also returned to studying.
With his upcoming 31st birthday on 31 October, silly season around the corner and almost the end of his first year in film at university, the Linden resident has some big plans in the pipelines.
“For my birthday this year, because it’s my crown birthday, I’d like to gift myself with a fashion label. That would be cute,” Smash said excitedly.
Next year, he’ll launch his creative agency, which is something he’s been planning for a while. “I’ve been waiting for this for the longest time.
My agency will take off next year and, not giving too much away, it will start off by shooting what I will be doing in 2020,” he said. With his agency, he intends to empower, uplift, entertain and employ young creatives out there.
Having found his purpose at an early age, he uses his craft as a radio DJ and VJ to ‘ make everything better’. “To talk about my show, Live at Night, on 5FM is so beautiful and it always feels like such an honour and a privilege to be hosting a radio show with the listener.
The listener is my co-host in some way and it’s beautiful,” he said with a smile. He believes that humans were put on earth to help and love one another. “People need to wake up every morning and remind themselves, ‘I am out here to love and to help, so help you God’.
You don’t have to be religious or anything like that. So why can’t we always put out that loving energy?” he questioned. Having started his career on varsity radio stations, he worked his way up to a local ‘youth’ station, YFM, where he spent nine years before moving to 5FM.
Throughout his radio journey, he has maintained his quirky stance on living life, and he shares his belief that ‘you need to be yourself, believe in yourself and, most importantly, listen’. And he aims to create a legacy of fostering self-belief.
Originally from Bloemfontein, and now a local celebrity in the northern suburbs, when he’s not out lending a helping hand, he likes to sip margaritas at Cuban-inspired restaurant, The Royale in Craighall Park.
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