Big Dreams, Banging Beats

He started making music with a ruler and duster in school – now DJ Maphorisa is a sought-after producer with global hits

- Qhama Dayile

IT’S 20 years ago, and a nine-year-old boy sits at his desk in class at the Dithabaneng Primary School in Soshanguve, tapping out a beat on his desk with a ruler and duster. 

Soon the rest of his classmates are dancing along as the little drummer gets into his stride, the catchy rhythm filling the classroom and drifting out into the school grounds.

It is to this school we return, to see where the international star now known as DJ Maphorisa cut his musical teeth.

Maphorisa – real name Themba Sekowe – has worked with big names such as Drake, Akon, Trey Songz, Davido and Jason Derulo and has had a hand in many of the major songs produced in Mzansi in 2017.

And no one could be prouder than the two teachers who ululate as soon as he gets out of a white Mercedes-Benz tour bus when we arrive at the school.

None of the kids are here – school is already out for the December break – but some of the teachers, including Vivian Morerwa and Jerita Makamela, are still finishing off some admin work.

Both women taught Maphorisa (29) but it is Mrs Makamela who was there the day he got the entire class involved while he made sweet music.

“Sekowe ngwana ka (my child),” she says. “We are so proud of you and how you took your desk-banging ways to the whole world.”

Maphorisa gets quite teary-eyed as he walks through the corridors and takes a trip down memory lane, promising the teachers he’ll come back and work on musical projects with the kids.

Then we head for his parents’ home in Soshanguve, noticing along the way how everyone waves as he cruises by, greeting him by name and clamouring for handshakes when he gets out of the car.

And he greets everyone right back. For all his success, he’s clearly as down to earth now as when he was that kid playing his imaginary drums.