Ashley Dean Misho | Arts and Entertainment Reporter
BULAWAYO – For Tafara Thabani “MJox” Joga, winning the 2025 Outstanding Radio DJ award was more than a personal triumph; it was a validation of a quarter-century spent nurturing Zimbabwe’s soundscapes—from the bustling streets of Bulawayo to the airwaves of Skyz Metro FM.
The DJ’s journey, marked by resilience and reinvention, began in 2002 when he teamed up with the Editor of Zim GBC News, Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube and the late Pios Mponda.
The trio organized experimented on the music making app Fruity Loops to compose and produce music for young talents from Nketa Surburb.
Later Mjox moved on to join forces with some of his friends from Nketa Surburb to format the group Street Niggaz.
Their 2005 hit, “Alisazi!”, catapulted them to fame as it became a national anthem at the ZBC musical program Ezomgido.
The fame had the Street Niggaz shared stages with South African greats like Mafikizolo and Mandoza. They signed with a record label and even performed at the big Glastonbury Festival in the UK. But in 2011, he had to return to Zimbabwe unexpectedly, which felt like a big setback.
However, by 2007, with band members migrating, MJox faced a crossroad.
“When the group scattered, I knew I had to build a new foundation, not just for myself, but for the music here,” MJox recalled.
That foundation became eMafletsini Studios, a creative hub from which he produced and mentored a wave of local talent, including Hwabaraty and the versatile Afro-Pop star Mzoe 7. His work extended into gospel, where he served as music arranger, producer, and vocal trainer for the Come Let’s Sing Gospel (CLSG) initiative, a competition and choir founded by Mr. Ncube to unearth gospel talent.
A pivotal turn came through a conversation with the late theatre legend Continueloving Mhlanga, who shared his dream of launching a new radio station. Though MJox initially gave it little thought, Mhlanga later summoned him to auditions.
“Cont saw the bigger picture for Bulawayo’s arts. When he called, I went, not knowing it would redefine my career,” said MJox.
He was selected as part of the pioneering team for Skyz Metro FM, which launched in 2016. For nine years, his consistent presence and community-focused programming have made him a trusted voice, earning multiple nominations before his 2025 award win.
“The award opened my eyes,” he reflected.
“It showed me that this daily connection, this work, truly matters to people.”
As Skyz Metro FM approaches its 10th anniversary in 2026, MJox remains a cornerstone of its success. While his debut album, Musical Journey of a Kwaito Star, remains shelved, his daily broadcast continues his life’s mission: amplifying Zimbabwean music and stories.
From a kwaito star on international stages to an award-winning voice in homes nationwide, MJox’s story is a testament to the power of enduringPerspective
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