WATCH: Ex-DJ heads to the polls
UNVEILED: Dmtri at meeting. Picture supplied
Remember the legendary DJ “Jegie Baby” from Good Hope FM and P4 Radio?
He’s now running for ward councillor.
While the moms and dads will have nostalgic memories of the famous Dmitri Jegels, many will wonder what happened to the radio legend after he left the airwaves in 2014.
Dmitri, from Fairways, says he went back to university to study linguistics, which he also now teaches, and this year decided to enter politics.
He is the ANC’s ward candidate for Ward 63, which includes areas in Ottery, Plumstead, Wetton and Wynberg.
“I must admit that it wasn’t a difficult decision to make as I believe the ANC is still the home of progressive people committed to building a united democratic non-racial non-sexist and prosperous South Africa,” Dmitri says.
“I am blessed to have the support of my family especially my wife, Pastor Judy, and my son Dakota Aiden Norman Rolihlahla who has been assisting with the social media campaign.”
Dmitri, 62, started at GHFM on 1 March 1983 and went on to join P4 Radio (now HeartFM).
In 2005, he went back to varsity as a full-time linguistics student and worked part-time for retail radio.
He eventually left radio in 2014 and is currently a linguistics lecturer at the University of the Western Cape.
“Some of you may know me from my days as a DJ at Good Hope FM and others may know me from my academic life and my work as a linguist,” he says.
“My last job in radio was with Smile 90.4FM. My life took a complete turn, I became an academic.”
Unlike some other politicians, he obtained his BA Degree in 2007 Summa Cum Laude his BA Honours in 2008 where he was also named top honours student in the Faculty of Arts), and his MA (Linguistics) degree in 2011, all from UWC.
Dmitri says his mission is to bring change in his ward: “With winter upon us, flooding, leaks and an unbearable exposure to the elements in Freedom Park is a part of the daily drudgery of life,” he says.
“Add to that widespread unemployment, poverty and suffering and we wonder from whence will come our deliverance?”
Dmitri was introduced as ward councillor candidate at a special Ward 63 ANC Branch Public Meeting at the Glass Slipper Hall in Ottery on Saturday.
ANC MP Faiez Jacobs welcomed Dmitri on board: “I want to salute Dmitri and his family for their courage and willingness to take a stand.
“Dmitri Jegels comes from a very principled upbringing and unlike many ward councillors in Cape Town who have not been seen by their communities since the last local government elections.
“He is chairperson of the local civic in his area and has been living in this ward for 26 years.