Disabled Durban DJ honours African women

A popular wheelchair-bound DJ recently released a new single with a praise song which celebrates the beauty of phenomenal African women.

Durban North resident Siyanda Makanya, affectionately known by the public as ‘DJ Kabila’, has a wealth of experience in the music and DJing industry and is well-respected by his industry peers and fans.

His new beautiful praise song is titled Somnyama and features WendySoni. The 42-year-old started in the industry in 1999, reports Rising Sun Overport.

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“I’ve always been a fan of music from an early age, whether being a dancer or getting the latest tracks released. A friend of mine, who has been a DJ from an early age, advised me to get my own turntables so that I could practice on my own and [at] a time convenient to me. From then, I started collecting turntables and music and have not looked back since,” he said.

His new song is inspired by ordinary women who raise whole families and legends, such as the late Miriam Makeba, Busi Mhlongo, and Caster Semenya.

“I say all hail to all the goddesses in a song,” he said.

Speaking about the challenges he faces as a physically challenged DJ, he said he had had to push three times harder than other DJs.

“You know most of the places are not wheelchair user-friendly such as the DJ booth, entrance stairs and the toilet facilities but because I am driven by the music, I make it work all the time. People want the best of their time so your disability does not matter to them. You need to be good at what you are doing, so every day I work on strategies of being different and deliver something that fans will love about my brand,” he said.

DJ Kabila has released a total of three albums. He has had the opportunity of working with internationally renowned DJ Black Coffee, who signed him under his Soulistic Music wing in 2006.

“While being at Soulistic Music, I met a young man by the name of Culoe de Song, who has worked hard and proven to be one of the most amazing talents of our time,” said DJ Kabila.

His advice to aspiring deejays is that they should respect the industry and know why they are there.

“Learn and never take an opportunity for granted even if you going to start playing for five people, those are your first fans. You can always build from there. Never rush to become a superstar, this industry needs a lot of hard work, dedication and discipline, talent alone won’t help you,” said the humble DJ.

The talented artist said he was inspired by his mother.

“My mother, being a single woman, raised three children, managed to juggle her work taught us how to pray. I am proud of what she has achieved considering her background. I realised from an early age that nothing is impossible.”

He said the highlight of his career was playing in Miami in 2012.

“I learned a lot in Miami and when I got back home, I created my own event which was inspired by my trip to Miami called ‘Music Will Save the Day Experience’. The event sought to inspire young talent through music workshops and the festival. That was the turning point of my career,” he concluded.

When he is not making people dance, the popular DJ loves cooking, watching movies, and spending time with his family.

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