Short DJ dominates the airwaves

Being just under one metre tall often means that being overlooked is inevitable. But Phinel Sefatsa, better known as DJ Finzo, refuses to let his disability define him or prevent him for living his dreams. The Weekly met Sefatsa over lunch to find out more about Lesedi FM’s assistant music compiler. Upon arrival Sefatsa is all smiles and chats about the weather, but as his driver pulls away in a bright yellow Mini Cooper, he earnestly remarks: “I have worked really hard to get to where I am today, so I thought I should spoil myself with my dream car. I can’t drive, however. But my brother-in-law avails himself to drive me from point A to B”.

Growing up, Sefatsa never knew the luxury of fancy cars. His father bought him a bicycle to help him get around town, but his legs would tire quickly due to the leg operations he underwent. The young mover and shaker speaks openly about his disability and how he has managed to overcome prejudice. He explained that when he was young he did not understand why he was the only one in his family who was short. He would ask his mother questions about his disabilities wanting to understand why God did that to him. “My family was very supportive.

Never did they make feel like I am different. My mother would tell me t my disability should not dictate my life and that I can achieve anything.” He hails from the dusty streets of Matwabeng in Senekal. “I come from a family that appreciate the arts. My two brothers were DJs and my father was a contemporary dance instructor. I remember every day after school it was compulsory to attend my father’s dance
classes.

It was during those times that I fell in love with the arts.” From the time he was in Standard 6 (Grade 8), he was “hooked” on music. “Because of my disability I have always yearned to be accepted. I saw how people in the music industry were respected and decided to pursue a career in music.” For Sefatsa working in the music industry was a realisation of a childhood dream. “I used to enter talent shows at school where I would imitate the likes of Biggie Smallz and Tupac. However, I realised that vocal artists did not spend enough time on stage. I loved the attention that I was getting from my peers and I then decided deejaying was the way to go.”When the food arrives, Sefatsa says grace before tucking into the meal and continuing his story.

“I started off my career as a rapper. I realised that my key to happiness is through music, so I started collecting music and organising gigs in and around my neighbourhood.” Sefatsa jokes about his first brush with the entertainment industry in Johannesburg. “Both my brothers had relocated to Johannesburg, so it gave me the perfect opportunity to visit the SABC’s studios. Breakfast show host Chomane Chomane can probably write a book about me.

I used to stalk him a lot!” Sefatsa’s dream was to work for Lesedi FM. This soon became a reality. It was then that he began making a name for himself in the industry. “In 2002, I joined Naledi Community Radio Station to present a music show called Gazla Gong. In 2004, Lesedi did an outside broadcast at my school, saw my talent and encouraged me to finish my schooling and come for an audition.”

According to Sefatsa, one of the other presenters at Lesedi FM, Twasa, decided to take him under her wing. “She arranged for me to have interviews on national TV shows like Jam Alley and Selimathunzi. She played a vital role in establishing my career as a music and radio DJ.” Sefatsa and Twasa began to work closely together on air in 2007.

Three years later, he was given the opportunity to host Party Time on Saturdays and Kgatholoha on Sundays. He is now working on his new house album Sweet and Short which he hopes to release by the end of July.

“I’m working with Twasa, DJ Clock, and my wife Pinky, who wrote one of the songs, I Can’t Live Without You.” Sefatsa is living proof that dynamite does come in small packages.