By Terrena Rathanlall

Three years ago, Mojalefa Mashokwe resigned from his job and decided to open his own sound engineering business RF Junky. And in that time, he has gone from an unemployed, cash-strapped young man with a dream to an established businessman with an impressive client list.

Mojalefa was the RF Co-ordinator at the prestigious 2018 Global Citizen concert in Johannesburg which featured artists like Beyonce, Jay-Z, Ed Sheeran and Cassper Nyovest. He also assisted with the technical sound monitoring and evaluation of the sound mix environment for The Voice South African season 1 and 2. So how did a start-up land such lucrative contracts?

“Consistency, honesty, constant learning and hard work,” said Mojalefa. “The tech space in which RF Junky operates is constantly improving. I must keep up with the latest technology in order to give my clients the best service possible. I always aim high. For example, when I worked at the Global Citizen concert I knew I had to bring my A game because if I got it wrong, the whole world would know I got it wrong. The converse is true, too.”

“It all started in church when I volunteered as a sound technician during services. I was curious about the technology used. I secretly researched better options and how I could improve the quality. The curiosity became a passion and after school I studied sound engineering because I knew this was what I wanted to do.”

RF Junky provides the following services: RF coordination at events and installations for wireless microphones, multi-channel wireless microphones or in-ear monitor systems design and setup, RF spectrum planning for events or at conference venues, RF spectrum monitoring during events, technical support at venues and support for live performing artists and tours. RF Junky also makes premium cable leads that are used for professional wireless audio antenna systems.

And it’s just two men - Mojalefa and his hard-working trainee – who complete the technical tasks needed for big productions like The Voice and Global Citizen seamlessly.  The other people Mojalefa says were contributors to his success were his mother and Adriaan Van Der Walt, one of the directors of RF Junky. 

In May 2018, Mojalefa successfully applied to a business development programme that invests in entrepreneurs who show the passion and commitment to growing the South African economy. The business support programme offers mentorship, business development workshops and seed funding.

And now RF Junky is reaping the benefits. Mojalefa applied what he learnt on the programme and his business since experienced tremendous growth, he has partnered with other businesses to extend his reach and because of his stellar reputation, he is being approached to execute more technical projects.

For Mojalefa, running his own business is extremely rewarding and pushes him to be innovative: “When something inspires me, I am inspired to do new things. I get to experiment and think of ways to improve my clients’ wireless experience.”

It is Mojalefa’s attention to detail, willingness to learn and his desire to constantly improve the service he provides to clients that ensures that this start-up grows at the speed of sound.