Legendary South African house music pioneer DJ Ganyani is set to take music lovers on a nostalgic journey back to his roots when he hosts his annual Where It All Began event in Meadowlands, Soweto.
Born Fredericks Tshabalala in Meadowlands East, DJ Ganyani says the event is more than a music gathering. It is a homecoming that honours the community, sounds and culture that shaped his career and South Africa’s house music movement.
The event will take place on 25 January in Zone 2, Meadowlands, and is expected to draw fans from across Johannesburg and surrounding areas.
“Where It All Began is the sound returning home. It is about timeless grooves, shared memories and the community that shaped a culture,” said DJ Ganyani.
He explained that the concept is rooted in the early days of house music, when DJs played cassette tapes and vinyl records and music was shared hand to hand long before the digital era.
“The event honours the era of cassette tapes and vinyl records, when house music was shared hand to hand, DJs were true selectors and the dancefloor was the heartbeat of the culture,” he said.
As one of South Africa’s pioneering house DJs, DJ Ganyani played a key role in shaping a sound that emerged from township streets and went on to influence generations of artists and fans.
“This gathering brings that story to life through timeless house grooves, familiar faces and an atmosphere rich with nostalgia and meaning. It is more than a party. It is a homecoming — a return to the roots, the music and the people who made it all possible,” he said.