05 May 2025

With a turntable in one hand and a film script in the other, Onkemetse Lydia Kgatiso, better known as Fizzy The DJ is a true creative at heart and a force to reckon with in Botswana’s evolving entertainment landscape.
Born in Palapye, Fizzy’s passion for music was ignited in childhood, long before she formally trained at the Next Best DJ Academy under the mentorship of DJ Izzy. Her earliest inspiration came from her late sister, whose R&B lyric books became Fizzy’s obsession. “My sister was my greatest influence,” Fizzy said. “I would steal her lyric book and read it like it was the Bible. I became a music fanatic.”
That early obsession turned into a profession. Now five years into her DJ career, Fizzy has built a name for herself locally and beyond, playing R&B, hip-hop, motswako and afro beats.
“And that on its own is very unique because not everyone plays afro beats,” said the beat matcher. Among her international appearances, her most memorable was a gig in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.
“It was my first international booking. I didn’t expect the turn up or the crowd response. It was absolutely amazing,” she recalled. Yet, the journey has not been without hurdles.
“It’s still hard to break through this male-dominated industry. Sometimes it’s low pay, no bookings, or being used under the pretence of promotion,” she said. While some events are making space for female DJs, Fizzy believes the industry still has a long way to go in terms of inclusivity and fair representation.
Beyond the decks, Fizzy has also made waves in film. A graduate of Art Without Limit (AWIL) College (formerly AFDA) with a degree in Film Production, she is also turning her lens toward stories that spark reflection and social dialogue.
Her recent award winning short film which also earned her best producer, Whispers of the Rain, does just that by tackling themes such as racial discrimination, trauma, and justice.
Looking ahead, Fizzy aspires to release her own music and  to represent Botswana on the global stage.
“I also plan to open a DJ school specifically for girls, where I can mentor young talents and help shape the next generation of leading female DJs in the industry,” she said. ENDS