Schalk “DJ Schalk’ Botha recently joined the DWR Distribution sales team. In a statement DWR Distribution expressed their delight of having a person of Botha’s calibre and extensive experience on their team.
The company stated: “We would like to extend a warm welcome to DJ Schalk who is the newest member of DWR Distribution. He has been a long-time friend to the industry and we are very pleased that he has joined our sales team.’
Botha got introduced to lighting when he was appointed as co-resident DJ at Bourbon Street, a nightclub in Boksburg. He would play from early morning till sunrise, but throughout the night he ran the lighting for all the other performing DJs.
In 2004 Botha joined Prosound’s TNA Lighting doing technical sales, repairs and installation. 18 Months later, Duncan Riley, who at the time worked for Electrosonic SA, asked Botha to join their team and to run the Lighting Department at the Durban branch.
Schalk stayed with Electrosonic KZN for five years and then left to try his hand in the staging industry. He freelanced with companies like Black Coffee and Hirezone, doing everything from rigging, programming and running shows, and then striking and loading trucks.
“I didn’t see a future for my family and I as a freelancer. When you want to work as a freelancer it helps being young, without kids and still living with your mom,’ explained Botha.
Botha moved back to Johannesburg and Schalk worked at True Technical and then moved over to Lamphouse before joining DWR.
“I am very excited about joining the DWR team – I’m here and I’m here to stay,’ concluded Botha.