In a recorded message to Yfm listeners, Khabzela, who commands huge support on the mid-morning DK@Y show (09:00-13:00) with Dre, said he had been feeling ill for a long time and had recently deteriorated to the point of barely being able to walk. Neither doctors nor traditional healers had been able to help, so he decided to confront his fears and have an HIV test. He tested positive.

“I am determined to get better. I am determined to be positive about my future. I have spoken to my family and they are supporting me. I have spoken to Y and the whole Y family is supporting me. Dre is supporting me. My beloved is supporting me. Now I am speaking to you and asking you to support me too. I need rest. I need less stress so my body can heal. I will be away from the DK@Y show until I feel stronger. But I will be keeping in touch all the time. I will return to continue my work which is to spread love and hope to the Positive Youth of our country,” said an upbeat, though weak Khabzela.

Yfm Station Manager Greg Maloka said Khabzela had the total support of the entire Y family. “We see this as an opportunity to highlight the HIV crisis gripping our whole society and to say that we should not live in denial or be afraid to come out. It is possible to live a full life as an HIV positive person with the right support and love and we are determined to assist Khabzela in every way possible. Khabzela and Yfm will together take our communication to people and about people living with HIV to another level. Y cares.”

Khabzela, an ex-taxi driver, became an overnight sensation on Yfm when his weekend show The Jam Shack in 1999 became the most listened to show on Yfm – itself the biggest regional radio station in the country. Before DK@Y he was Yfm’s breakfast host, having replaced Phat Joe.

His concept, the Positive Youth of Gauteng, has continued to give hope to hundreds and thousands of young people through his inspirational “anyone can do it if I can” message. He has been able to demystify certain brackets of our community like prisoners who phone into his Sunday show (The Jam Shack 10:00-14:00) to appeal for understanding and forgiveness.

In addition to his successful radio show, Khabzela is a sought after MC and one of the hottest club Dj’s in South Africa with a number of successful compilation albums under his belt.

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