Following a devastating fire earlier this month, a community of fans, friends and kind strangers banded together to help a DJ dear to the community, rebuild his home and life, raising more than enough funds in a matter of days!
Langa, South Africa (29 January 2025) — When a devastating fire stormed through Langa’s Special Quarters, numerous belongings, homes and memories were lost. Among those hit hardest was the home of Makonwabe Bekwa, a DJ dear to his community, also known by his stage name, ‘AudioJerk’.
Born and raised in Langa, Makonwabe has inspired his community time and time again, both as an artist and as someone determined to give back to others. From receiving incredible opportunities to play his sounds overseas to becoming a vessel of support for the non-profit Bridges for Music School (of which he is an alumnus), Makonwabe is described by his friends as a pillar of his people.
The fire that surged through his home destroyed a lot of his livelihood. Personal, precious, and professional equipment all felt the blow of the flames, leaving Makonwabe with scraps.
Amid the debris was his treasured bicycle, both a pursuit of passion and a way to embark upon fundraising opportunities, including the Cape Town Cycle tour and the ADE x BFM Cycle Tour from London to Amsterdam, which he used as a means to raise funds for Bridges for Music.
However, devastation did not win the fight in this story. In a most heartwarming turn of events, fans, friends, and kind strangers banded together to support Makonwabe in rebuilding his life with significant impact!
In a handful of days, people raised R190,517 for the dear DJ—funds that represent a fresh start built on the back of kindness.
It’s the kind of turn that reminds us the difference between tragedy and triumph is so often people. And it’s the kind of turn that we’re sure Makonwabe will carry in his heart for years to come.
In more news where community angels flipped the script on an ordeal, Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels and an army of heroes swooped in to give Boksburg Kidz Clinic a massive helping hand after the haven was hit by gangsterism that robbed them of their livelihood on New Year’s Eve. You can read all about this triumph over tragedy, here.
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