09 Sep 2018

Thirty-three-year-old  Thabo Rabatoko, popularly known as DJ Thibos BW, who hails from Lotlhakane East, says he had to make ends meet doing informal jobs to nurture his talent.

Narrating his story recently, Thabo said he got motivation to become a disc jockey (DJ) from DJ Tleke, who always pulled crowds whenever he was performing.

“I basically taught myself how to a DJ but I’ve been inspired by DJs throughout my career. I have some friends who loved music so much. You learn some little things here and there from each DJ and you put your own style into it,” he said.

DJ Thibos BW, who is a professional photographer, said after completing his junior certificate, he joined the multitudes of youth roaming the streets not knowing what was next in life until he decided to venture into music.

Through determination and inspiration, Thabo founded Thibos Entertainment Multimedia Services in 2013, offering videography, photography and disc jockey services.

He said he was driven by passion for music, infused with determination and zeal for learning and prosperity, which brought life to an annual festival called ‘Re Ba Bona Ha’ in 2013,

Thabo said the festival had a huge following and it brought him the much needed recognition.

The energetic muso said “my passion for music overwhelmed me and people started hiring me for parties and weddings.”

On his way up the music ladder, Dj Thibos said he released his single titled Matters of the heart featuring DJ Garozz which hit the airwaves towards the festive season. He said for an entrepreneur to succeed in life, they needed to put their customers’ needs first and remember that the latter was always right.

Thabo said upon realising that weddings go hand in hand with photography services, he decided to add it to his services to compliment and expand his business.

With the business proceeds, he said he managed to buy a car in order to smoothen the transportation of his equipment to ceremonial destinations.

Thabo said that he increased his sales by marketing his business through word of mouth, social media and distributing flyers as well as business cards, adding that he got referrals from his happy customers. The father of one said record keeping was important as it helped to know whether he was making profit or loss, thereby helping him to predict his business progress.

Dj Thibos also lamented that he was faced with challenges such as customers who got services on credit and disappeared into thin air. He said it diminished his profits.

He envisions upgrading his equipment which he intends to achieve through seeking funds from the Youth Development Fund.

Thabo gives credit to his fans for rallying behind him and encouraging his business to grow, adding that through their support ‘Re Ba Bona Ha’ annual festival, which has been formulated to give back to the community, has played a huge role in decreasing road accidents. “Since the inception of the festival, people gather in one place and enjoy their holidays rather than visiting far places,” he said.

“God is a DJ, life is a dancefloor, love is the rhythm and you are the music,’’ he said joyful.

Thabo encouraged the youth to stand on their feet and develop the spirit of self-reliance in order to make a living for themselves. Ends