While music is defined by sound, one DJ is proving that rhythm can be felt beyond hearing.

Junior Chirwa (26), also known as DJ Sam, was born in Krugersdorp with a profound hearing loss and was unable to speak – a challenge that could have easily dictated the trajectory of his life.

Speaking through a sign language interpreter, Sam told the Roodepoort Record that doctors diagnosed him as deaf at the age of 12 after his family exhausted all their options trying to get the necessary help for him.

“We believed that something could still be done because his left ear can perceive a little bit of sound,” said his father, Sam Chirwa.

His father added that some of the challenges they faced while he was growing up were getting the right school for him.

“Since we were going up and down with doctors finding the right diagnosis for him, he wasn’t going to schools that were not catered for his needs,” added his father.

In 2014, that’s when he was first enrolled at Sizwile School for the Deaf, located in Dobsonville, which was game-changing.

“After going to school, I started becoming free,” he said through the interpreter.

Sam’s educational journey continued at St Vincent School for the Deaf, where he completed Grade 11 and discovered his passion for music.

This newfound interest led him to enrol at Rise Academy, a school for DJing, where he could hone his skills and pursue his dreams.

He graduated in 2025 and has since been playing at a local pub twice a week under the mentorship of Kevin Morwagaswe.

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His favourite genres include Amapiano and deep house. Kevin said Sam’s work amazes him, and he can mix tracks quite well using a Pioneer 750 mixer and the CDJ 850.
“With the four months that I have been mentoring him, I realised that there are certain sounds that he can hear, including that of music.”

He plays and mixes like any other DJ, and sometimes he even finds himself dancing to the tune,” said Kevin, adding that the audience has been receiving him well, enjoying his music.

“You will never tell that he can’t speak or is deaf. He’s a very jubilant person.”

Going forward, Sam hopes to hit the national stage and continue breaking barriers, encouraging others with disabilities to pursue their passions.

“Deafness isn’t a limitation; it’s a different way of experiencing the world,” he says proudly.

His message to others is, “Be free to do anything and pursue your passion.”