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Arthur on having superstar kids

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Arthur Mafokate (Photo: Gallo Images)
Arthur Mafokate (Photo: Gallo Images)

IT seems as though talent runs in Arthur Mafokate's family. His children have decided to follow in their father's footsteps, who is a kwaito star, producer and 999 Music boss. DJ AJ is grooming his younger sister, 16-year-old Owami, who recently made her deejay debut on SABC’s YO.TV. Speaking to Move!, Arthur says he’s finding it hard to accept that his children are growing up to be entertainers.

THE FAMOUS KIDS

His oldest son, DJ AJ, is leading a successful career as a deejay and the young Owami is aspiring to become Mzansi’s best female deejay. DJ AJ (24) has been in the music scene for a while, having worked with the likes of Kelly Khumalo, Busisiwe ‘Cici’ Twala and Ntombi Mzolo. He joined Universal and released an album titled Legacy Vol. The 999 Music boss says not so long ago the two were just babies, and now he has to come to terms with them being celebrities. “I am still struggling to make sense of it all. I'm surprised by the amount of attention they are receiving,” the father shares. “It’s scary, but there is nothing I can do, maybe it’s their calling, only God knows. I always remind them that they aren’t my kids anymore, but God’s children.” Owami is in Grade 11 and is doing well academically. Her father says music is her hobby. “She seems keen to see how far music takes her, but she is not under pressure to outperform anyone. She’s enjoying the platform to entertain people, more especially her peers,” he says. DJ AJ and Owami are not signed under the 999 Music stable.

ALLOWING THEM TO BE WHO THEY WANT TO BE

Fathers are known to be protective of their own, and Arthur is no different. Having been in the music industry for years and knowing what it’s like in that field, the record label boss says he struggles to accept the journey that his children are taking, especially Owami. Arthur shares that he can’t stop his children from doing what they love, but says he teaches them all that he has learnt over the years he has been in the industry. He doesn’t see them as celebrities. “When I look at my kids, I see kids that love their artwork and are enjoying it. I always remind them that all human beings are born stars, but to make it as a superstar, you need discipline, hard work and perseverance,” he says. Arthur says as much as he lived his life, he will let his kids live their own lives and let them follow their own career paths. “If joining the music industry is what they want, then so be it, as long as they do their best, pray and not let anyone influence them to do wrong,” he says.

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