Image: Nkanyezi Sikakane aka DJ Kenzi
(Published - 17 March 2020)
There were hundreds of contestants from five different campuses in the Western Cape, but 20-year-old Nkanyezi Sikakane is the one Good Hope FM wanted.
Sikakane is a third-year Economics student at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) who fell in love with performing arts as a schoolgirl.
The finalists from each campus competed at a showdown at the V&A Waterfront where the successful candidate won a Dell XPS 8th Gen i7 Laptop and the opportunity to train at the radio station.
The five finalists secured on-air training at the station, but only Sikakane won a Sunday 11 pm to 1 am slot which starts on April 1.
“This is a welcome birthday present. My 21st birthday is on April 2,” she said with excitement.
The station’s scouts visited UWC, Stellenbosch University, Northlink College and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology since September last year to find hidden talent.
But DJ Kenzi, as she is now referred to at the station, had what scouts were looking for. She is smooth and clued-up with just a pinch of attitude.
Entrants had to be registered students, possess a radio-friendly voice, be able to articulate and be an excellent communicator.
“While in matric, I was struggling to decide whether I should be studying something in line with the arts, because I always enjoyed it. My family would encourage me to follow a career in the arts, and now at least I have my opportunity to pursue one on a freelance basis,” said Sikakane.
“I understand that this is a cut-throat industry that hires and fires at will - which is why my studies at UWC will always be the first priority for me. It is a means to earn a proper salary hopefully in the next two years”.
During the auditions, she explored topics that interested her, but that many find controversial - black tax, gay-pride and even “blessers”.
“I’m looking forward to this stint as one big learning opportunity, and I’m hoping to acquire skills that will be useful for my future career,” said Sikakane.
