From Nelson Mandela and Kwame Nkrumah to his children and late ex-wife, every tattoo on DJ Fresh’s body tells the story of the man behind the microphone
By Mapaballo Borotho
If you’ve ever wondered how many tattoos DJ Fresh has, don’t bother asking him to count them.
The veteran broadcaster says he has long lost track.
With both arms fully sleeved, his legs covered in ink and an entire African map tattooed across his back, DJ Fresh admits there’s simply no space left on his body for more artwork.
“I have my whole back covered, my legs and my sleeves are also fully covered, so it’s impossible to really count,” he laughed.
Yet despite covering almost every available inch of his body, there’s one place he’ll never tattoo.
His face.
“I would never do a tattoo where I cannot conceal it because I still live in a conservative society,” he explained.
“I would never not be fully aware of the society that I live within.”
For Fresh, tattoos have never been about following trends.
Every piece of ink represents a chapter of his life, his values, the people he loves and the causes he believes in.
It all started with a panther…
Believe it or not, DJ Fresh’s tattoo journey began with a matching tattoo alongside fellow Kaya 959 presenter Thomas Msengana.
“My first tattoo was a panther on my upper arm, and the thing that inspired me to get that panther was because Thomas had the same one.
“He got that tattoo in 1997, and I got mine at the beginning of 1998. The difference between our tattoos is that mine looks healthier than his,” he joked.
While many associate the black panther with strength, power and protection, Fresh says his inspiration ran much deeper.
“I love history. I love justice. The Black Panther movement was about the injustice of segregation in the United States. That is the reason I got a black panther.”
His back tells the story of Africa
Perhaps the most striking tattoo on his body is the massive African continent covering his entire back.
Inside it are portraits of some of the leaders who shaped the continent and inspired him, including Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, Julius Nyerere, Samora Machel, Thomas Sankara, Queen Nzinga, Winnie Mandela and even his own grandfather.
But one face holds an especially emotional place.
His youngest son, Lefika.
“Lefika arrived late. He wasn’t supposed to arrive because we were done trying. He just showed up four years after we stopped trying,” Fresh recalled.
“So I decided to put him up with my favourite leaders.”
He also revealed that his late ex-wife is immortalised on his back.
A life told through ink
If his tattoos could speak, Fresh says they would tell the story of a colourful and varied life.
His lower legs feature traditional African-inspired artwork, while the upper sections are influenced by Japanese culture.
“The Japanese culture appreciates life and honour,” he explained.
Every tattoo, he says, reflects a different season of his life.
And while fans continue to admire the 53-year-old’s youthful appearance, Fresh says there’s no magic formula.
His advice?
“Be particular with what you eat and prioritise exercise. Never eat more than what your body needs.”
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