12 Aug 2024

 On Thursday August 8, Kabo Mogotsi, known as DJ Stomps, passed on at Princess Marina Hospital aged 38. 

DJ Stomps’ brother Kagiso Mogotsi revealed in an interview that the DJ had been unwell for a while. He said his younger brother would be laid to rest at Mmathubudukwane on Saturday. 

A memorial service hosted by creatives will be held at Molapo Crossing on Thursday afternoon. South African entertainment technologist specialising in lighting Olebogeng ‘Ole’ Mokgosi  remembers DJ Stomps for his work especially in the technical aspect in entertainment. 

‘Ole’, who later became a friend, met DJ Stomps whilst working at one of South Africa’s distribution companies.  “We just hit it off then, as client and salesman type of relationship where we would talk business most of the time, talking new technology that I had. He was always eager to be ahead of the game in terms of investing in his business,” said ‘Ole’, adding that DJ Stomps had a vision for not only his business but also Botswana’s creative space, with South Africa being a point of reference on how events are organised, the type of technology they had and professionalism in different technical productions. 

‘Ole’ described DJ Stomps as someone who was passionate about the technical aspect of entertainment, saying he was never in competition with anyone but always willing to learn. 

“That is one of the things I loved about him. He improved and grew at his own pace and comfort,” he said. He said DJ Stomps also shared knowledge willingly, something he calls ‘free lesson by default.’ 

“He has been that guy whom I was selling equipment to and a guy I was working for.” He recalled how DJ Stomps would randomly want to take a picture, “he would say, ey a re tsee senepe dah ke batla go bontsha batho gore ke ne ke na le ‘Ole’ the great.” 

DJ Stomps, ‘Ole’ said, was passionate and made strides from being a DJ to running a technical company.  

“And he has done it with such passion and love. And from our conversations, some technical companies in Botswana would engage him on what to get and what systems to put in place,” he noted. 

“He was a giant not only as a DJ but in the technical space within Botswana and he was slowly making strides in South Africa. DJ Stomps also loved his family and he was a great farmer,” ‘Ole’ said, adding that he loved wholeheartedly. 

“He was slow to anger; a down to earth dude who was patient with people. He was a leader in his own stature, he loved clothes and food,” Ole said. ‘Ole’ further said DJ Stomps was always willing to sponsor a friend; he was always bringing in anyone whom he knew would do a great job. 

“E ne ese motho wa go tswalla batho kantle. Most of my business relations within Botswana are from his contacts. He was the designated supplier of lighting for Tounel Lounge Club and he engaged me. Besides his humanness there was excellence in everything he touched and worked on,” ‘Ole’ said. 

Meanwhile, Trevor ‘Archduke’ Moatlhodi of House Junkies, where DJ Stomps started his entertainment career, also described him as a humble, passionate and big contributor to the entertainment space in Botswana. Having started House Junkies in 2008 alongside other two members. Lesedi ‘Spinz’ Magowe and Kago ‘Bush’ Mokanyole, whilst DJ Stomps was still at university, DJ Archduke said they created memories with each other and for their fans and also introduced new music and sounds to people. He said DJ Stomps had passion for technical sound, as after graduation from university he acquired a small sound system and continued to grow from then on, eventually establishing ClearWorx Sounds, which created jobs for young people. 

He said DJ Stomps, who was more of a commercial house DJ, contributed hugely to the technical entertainment space in the country where he offered his services to big productions. 

“His passion for life, in both music and farming saw him collaborating with great minds in South Africa and Botswana. We were looking forward to more as he was still young and had so much to offer this industry,” said Archduke. “Losing such a young gifted life as Stomps’ is a big loss not only to his family and friends but to the creative space as a whole. “It is sad that his passing comes at a time where his company had found a place in the creative space as one of Botswana’s best technical productions companies,” female pioneer music promoter Zenzele Hirschfeld said of DJ Stomps. 

Hirschfeld said she worked with DJ Stomps on various projects of empowering women creatives and recently on financial literacy project for Women of Works. 

“He will be missed as he was always extending a helping hand in the sector,” Hirschfeld said. ENDS