John De Menezes

Executive Board Member & Co-Founder, Air FM

Station Manager

Music Compiler

Programme Manager

On-Air Presenter

Presenter, Monday to Friday (Lunch Box) 12pm till 3pm.

Presenter Solid Gold Sundays (Classic Count Down) 10am to 2pm

My journey into DJing commenced at a tender age of 12, ignited by a passion for vinyl records. I scrounged up my pocket money to frequent Ragtime Records in the Golden Acre Cape Town, building my collection. My mixing journey began humbly, using two hi-fi systems with a tape deck, soon transitioning to mobile functions, spinning tunes at school discos during the early '80s.

By 15, I secured my first residency at Nu Rithmix in Millpark Center Milnerton, swiftly followed by a major gig at Club Trammps in Green Point at 16. This paved the way for a thrilling career across renowned Cape Town venues like Top Floor, Club Vogue, Cloud 9, and many more, showcasing my talent as a DJ.

Alongside this, I ventured into entrepreneurship, owning a record store in Cape Town and partnering in two nightclubs. My accolades include clinching the South African Technics DMC Championships in 1997 and representing South Africa at the DMC World DJ Championships in Rimini, Italy.

My radio journey took flight with Good Hope FM, crafting live mixes on the Lee Downs show from 1995 to 1997. Invitations to play as a guest DJ in Mauritius followed in 2004. In 2016, Ian Ward invited me to join One FM, where I introduced the 80s Rewind show, along with Play back from Way back, captivating audiences for four years.

From 2016 until now, I've poured my heart and soul into curating the ultimate music playlist, a passion that thrives on Air FM. The station, launched in 2023, was born from the desire to introduce nostalgic hits from the '60s to the early 2000s to a broader audience. Air FM is dedicated to delivering music-driven content, minimizing chatter and maximizing musical enjoyment for our listeners, marking an exciting chapter in my musical journey.

With an unyielding passion for music and an unwavering dedication to Air FM's success.  I aim to resonate with audiences, fostering a community united by the love for Good Music.   Join us on this sonic journey as we harmonize, inspire, and create unforgettable moments on Air FM.

Beyond my work in radio, I run Studio 55 Events, my own music and events enterprise showcased at www.studio55djs.co.za. We specialize in delivering top-tier sound and lighting services for diverse occasions: weddings, corporate events, birthdays, matric balls, conferences, clubs, pubs, restaurants, and sound installations.