The Pride Of Tembisa: DJ Shimza

Line-up: DJ Shimza 6th One Man Show

For the past six years, 25th December has never been the same in Tembisa – the township that gave birth to DJ Shimza, real name Ashley Kholofelo Raphala, who turned Christmas Day into an annual charity and musical event.

This year is no different. As anticipated, Raphala, 25, will host another annual music festival – DJ Shimza‘s One Man Show – and will be joined by Mzansi top artists to entertain international and local fans at Mahlareng Stadium in Tembisa.

The mix DJ and producer, whose musical skills could be traced back at an early age of fifteen, is passionate about building his community and giving back to disadvantaged children has always been part of his dreams.

With a resident DJ slot on Oskido’s show, I Believe, at SABC Metro FM – one of South Africa‘s biggest commercial radio stations – and a successful music career, Shimza is one of the famous faces that represent the pride of Tembisa.

In an exclusive chat with The Voice of SA, the star speaks about the anticipated annual concert.

When you first launched DJ Shimza’s One Man Show in 2009, what was your dream back then? 

DJ SHIMZA: My dream was to create a platform for myself, as well as to give back to my community. I saw the opportunity within my hood [Tembisa] that there were not big events. That’s where it all started. The dream was to see myself in full stadium playing for people, not because of other DJs.

Why hosting it in Tembisa?

DJ SHIMZA: Because in the past we did [music] shows and all were outside of where we come from, so I just decided that I’m going to take the entertainment back to people of where I come from.

What makes this year’s festival different?

DJ SHIMZA: Honestly speaking, the production of the show is going to be much more bigger than the ones before because… I am giving people a memorable experience. The experience will be better than what they had last year.

Some fans from UK, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Durban and Cape Town have already confirmed that they’ll be spending Christmas day in Tembisa at your concert, what does this mean to you and Tembisa community? 

DJ SHIMZA: It means people are starting to recognize it, they see the magnitude of the event. There’s lot of people who wants to come and experience this event themselves. It just means my footprint is growing and the word is going out that there is something good that’s happening in Tembisa.

Why hosting the event on Christmas Day? 

SHIMZA: I chose Christmas day because:

(1) The show is a charity event, where I get parents at homes around Tembisa to bring their kids there [at the event]

(2) We cook a proper Christmas lunch meal for the disadvantaged kids, because obviously those kids don’t have families to spend Christmas day with

(3) So what I do I take my time to spend my Christmas day with them, they have fun, they play games, and later on the festival starts.

This year’s line-up:

  •  AKA
  • Cassper Nyovest
  • Kid X
  • KO
  • Micasa
  • Thebe
  • Riky Rick
  • Bucie
  • MaE
  • Soulstar
  • Mpumi
  • OkMalumKoolKat
  • Zano
  • Tembisa Revolusion
  • Macci
  • Tembisa Red Devil

Entry Fee:

  • Early Bird Special: R100
  • VIP Entry Pre Sold: R300
  • VIP Entry At The Gate: R400
  • Normal Entry Pre Sold: R150
  • Normal Entry At The Gate: R200

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