Online Reporter
Brenda P Shumba, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Bulawayo’s DJ Phantom Serge (real name Brandon Thabuya Ndlovu) is one talent people need to watch as his star is rising.
Though his love for DJing began in childhood, it was the mentorship of seasoned industry figures that turned his passion into a professional career.
“The DJing bug got me in primary school. I loved listening to mixtapes and was always intrigued by how it all worked. I felt like I would really love to explore it. As time went on, I learned how to use Virtual DJ from a classmate, and I never looked back,” he recalled.
In 2023, Phantom Serge decided to take the leap into professional DJing. That is when DJ Feel G, who runs House in CBD, stepped in.
“I reached out to Feel G in 2023. He developed and nurtured my interest by showing me how the professional DJ world operates. He taught me how to use industry-standard equipment, and when he felt I was ready, he started booking me for House in CBD gigs,” Phantom Serge shared.
His talent soon caught the eye of other top DJs in the Afro House scene, including Nitefreak, DJ Ash T, Kotwane Hikwa, Bryce DJ Klasiq, and Slim T, all of whom mentored him and provided guidance. Their support opened doors to major gigs such as Souls of Culture, Garden of House, and several events leading into the 2025 festive season.
The DJ is preparing to release his mixtape “Sounds of Kenilworth” on Friday. With his mentors’ support and guidance, he is confident that the mixtape will mark a turning point in both his career and the Afro House movement in Zimbabwe.
“I hope that Sounds of Kenilworth will give me a chance to showcase fresh music and shine a light on Afro-House producers that people are not familiar with. I’m hoping this mix will help me reach new audiences and signal a new direction in the Afro House genre,” he said.
At just 27 years old, Phantom Serge is not only a rising DJ but also an accomplished scholar. He holds two degrees in Journalism and Media Studies, having graduated top of his class in 2022 with a BSc and earning accolades such as the Zimpapers Best Student Award, Vice Chancellor’s Award, and Best Graduating Student Award. He went on to complete a Master’s degree in Journalism in 2024, again receiving recognition for academic excellence.
