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MCKENZIE @ 50

Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter
Old skool disc jockey Daniel McKenzie who turned 50 on December 2 says he wants to thank God for blessing him with good health with a massive party slated for December 12 at Londoner’s Bar at Strathaven Shopping Centre. McKenzie, who is more popularly known on the club circuit as “The Godfather”, said he was thankful to God for all these years as a radio and club DJ.

“It is a celebration and an honour from God who blessed me with good health for all these years. I have been to many places around the world and he has kept me in good shape. So, I know it’s a belated birthday but I want to give glory to God by bringing a big line-up of DJs from across radio stations,” he said.

Some of the DJs who are going to be rocking the decks include Comfort “Mbofs” Mbofana, STar FM’s Breakfast Club host, Dr Zobha of Power FM, Tonderai “TK” Katsande of Zi-FM.

“There are also DJs from radio stations like Radio Zimbabwe, National FM and SFM who are yet to confirm but hopefully they will all come to celebrate with me,” he said. There are also musicians in the likes of Alexio, Dudu Manhenga, Clare Nyakujara, Willis Wataffi, Rute Mbangwa and rapper Stunner have promised to attend the birthday bash.

Raunchy dancers Beverly Sibanda and Zoey Sifelani will spice up the gig with their sexy moves. “I am happy that I inspired other youngsters to take deejaying as a career. Throughout these years I have worked with some of the amazing upcoming DJs who include Jabu, Smooth and Phatchild have all come through my hands and are taking deejaying to another level,” he said.

According to McKenzie he was one of the first students to study Mass Communication at Harare Polytechnic.

“Then, we had students who had come from the liberation movements like ANC, Swapo and PAC. It was only Kelvin Sifelani and myself in that class. I remember I was living in Bulawayo when I read an advert calling for applications. They were looking for people who were fluent in English, Shona and isiNdbele. So what happened was we were asked to read articles in the three languages but out of panic I failed to read Shona. “However, the interviewers said due to my determination they decided to give me a chance and from there everything fell into  place,” he said.

McKenzie then joined ZBC where he worked with the likes of the late Josh Makawa, John Matinde as well as Kudzi Marudza.

As he reflects on his golden jubilee, McKenzie singles out his encounter with Cindy Crawford as his most memorable time. He together with the late Hilton “Dr Bobo” Mambo emceed at the show which was held at the Harare International Conference Centre. He also mentioned the Mango Groove gig as one of his best shows to date.

On the decks, McKenzie has all over Harare but he says every show is unique and he would not trade his turntables for                           anything.