DJ Hans Kekana, better known as DJ HK, took off his headphones and stepped out from behind his turntables to receive a PhD in geography during the North-West University’s (NWU’s) graduation ceremony on 23 May 2022.

This adds to his already impressive list of successes in academic research, public service, the music industry, entrepreneurship and events management.

His journey

Hans registered for his first-year studies at the former University of Bophuthatswana (Unibo) in 1992 and joined the South African Student Congress (Sasco).

Elected to the Student Representative Council (SRC) from 1993 to 1997, he served as an SRC representative on the university Senate, alongside other student leaders such as Solly Bokaba, Gaba Tabane and Fana Moraka.

His student activities did not distract him from his studies, and he holds a BA Ed, honours, master’s and now a PhD degree.

Hans, who started his career as a DJ in 1990 before he enrolled at university, has worked with popular South African DJs and music producers such as DJ Christos, Oskido, Vinny Davinci and many more. He launched the Legends of House South Africa in Mahikeng in 2010, the only house music event in the country.

Switching to his music producer hat, Hans has produced for local artists such as Mzeto, Phyllis, T-Felo, Trancemanace, Jay, Bonolo and T Phoenix. He has six albums to his name and recently released a new single, Two Little Birds, which features T Phoenix.

While his music credentials are impressive, Hans’ public service career cannot be ignored. He was a researcher at the Land Claims Commission in 1997, was appointed director for Land Reform in 2002, and chief director for Housing and Human Settlement in 2005. He was head of infrastructure projects for BMP Projects in 2010, events manager for Gauteng Tourism in 2016, and is currently acting head of corporate services at the Gauteng Tourism Authority.

With his passion and drive, it is only a matter of time before Hans chalks up his next achievement.

Dr Hans Kekana.