Boksburg DJ making great strides in the music industry
Kade described music as a language everyone seems to understand, and said good music can really touch your soul.
Reiger Park’s talented Kade Harmse, popularly known as DJ Vrugteslaai, will later get a chance to play alongside DJ Kent and other renowned DJs, including Twins on Deck, at an annual music festival in Soweto later this month.
The Advertiser spent a few minutes chatting to Kade in the lead-up to his performance at the festival.
The up-and-coming 25-year-old musician had been making great strides towards becoming a highly acclaimed DJ in his township and surrounding areas.
He has been on the local DJ scene since he was 18.
Kade was born in Heilbron, Free State, but along with his family relocated to Boksburg when he was five.
“My mother, who was a single parent, Elsie Deloris, died in 2010 when I was 15 years old, and her passing left me without any guidance.
“It felt like I was quickly becoming vulnerable to the township traps, such as juvenile delinquency and substance abuse more common in the townships.
“I realised that failure to change my behaviour and improve my outlook on life would destroy my future – either leading me to prison or even worse, being killed. That’s when I decided I would not let my current circumstances determine my future.”
Early in 2015, Kade took to music, starting out as a producer. He later got into DJing as this has always been his passion. Kade opted to do gigs around Reiger Park, and these small events attracted a following.
He became widely acclaimed by music lovers across Ekurhuleni, and subsequently event organisers started to book him for shows almost every weekend across Ekurhuleni.
In 2016, Kade collaborated with six other local DJs and they formed a group called Strictly Deep Guys (SDG), a group of local DJs catering to local events.
The group merged with other local groups to form a new group called Who’s To Blame.
Who’s To Blame has since become a source of inspiration for the youngsters who want to enter the music scene in Ekurhuleni.
Kade’s determination and positive energy makes him a force to be reckoned with. He is also instrumental in organising most of the youth entertainment events aimed at keeping young people off the dangerous streets of the townships. He is also actively involved in charity projects.
These include the Reiger Park annual Battle of the DJs and the township’s annual Women’s Day project.
The God-fearing man’s motto is: “I know God has great plans for me.”
Kade refused to allow social ills common in his neighbourhood determine his future.
He is living proof that if you have the correct mentality and stay focused, you will be able to attain the goals you set for yourself, regardless of your background.
