DJ Cleo Announces Departure From Radio 2000 To Focus On Music, Family And Studies
South African DJ, producer and radio personality DJ Cleo has announced his departure from Radio 2000 after more than two years with the station. The musician, whose real name is Tlou Cleopas Monyepao, joined the station in April 2024 and became the host of The Eskhaleni Party, a programme that brought together his experience in kwaito, house music and hip-hop with his distinctive broadcasting style. He presented his final show on Saturday, marking the end of an important chapter in his radio career. While his departure means listeners will no longer hear his regular mixes and the familiar Eskhaleni sound on the programme, DJ Cleo has made it clear that he is not stepping away from the entertainment industry. Instead, he is redirecting his energy towards his music career, family, academic journey, live performances and artist development.
DJ Cleo explained that his decision was driven by a desire to refocus on several areas of his life that require his attention. In a statement shared with his supporters, he said he was choosing to dedicate more energy to his music career, his family and his degree studies while also prioritising his peace and mental health. The decision reflects a broader shift in priorities for the experienced entertainer, who has built a career across music production, DJing, radio and artist development. His departure from Radio 2000 therefore appears to be a deliberate personal and professional decision rather than a withdrawal from the industry. By stepping away from a regular radio schedule, DJ Cleo can create more room for projects that require a different kind of time and commitment.
During his time at Radio 2000, DJ Cleo developed The Eskhaleni Party into a programme that reflected his musical identity and understanding of South African popular music. The show provided a platform for kwaito, house music and hip-hop while allowing him to bring his own experience as a producer and DJ to the airwaves. He described the programme as a one-of-a-kind offering that went beyond the key performance indicators expected of him. His comments highlight the pride he has in what the programme achieved during his tenure and the relationship he developed with its listeners. The show’s identity became closely associated with his mixes and the unique Eskhaleni flavour that audiences came to recognise.
One of the biggest highlights of DJ Cleo’s time at Radio 2000 was The Eskhaleni Party receiving a nomination at the Telkom Radio Awards after its first year on air. For the broadcaster and producer, the recognition represented an important acknowledgement of the work that went into building the programme. Radio awards nominations can provide valuable recognition for presenters and shows that manage to establish a strong connection with audiences while delivering distinctive programming. The nomination also gave DJ Cleo an opportunity to measure the show’s progress after only a year on the station. He described the achievement as a massive highlight, demonstrating how significant the recognition remains as he reflects on his time at Radio 2000.
Although DJ Cleo is leaving his regular position, he has emphasised that his relationship with Radio 2000 and the wider SABC brand remains positive. He expressed his respect for both organisations and made it clear that his departure should not be interpreted as a rejection of the station. His comments also suggest that he wants his time at Radio 2000 to be remembered for the work achieved rather than for speculation about his reasons for leaving. He stated that he had an amazing 28 months on the job and indicated that he would not make negative comments about his experience on any platform. This measured approach allows him to close the chapter while maintaining the professional relationships and respect he developed during his time at the station.
The response to the departure also highlights the connection DJ Cleo established with listeners through The Eskhaleni Party. He acknowledged that audiences would miss the show’s mixes and distinctive sound, but said that he would miss the listeners even more. This reflects the importance of radio as a medium for creating direct and lasting relationships between presenters and their audiences. For listeners, a regular radio programme can become part of their weekly routine, particularly when a presenter develops a recognisable style and creates a strong sense of community around the show. DJ Cleo’s comments suggest that the emotional connection formed with his audience is one of the most meaningful aspects of his Radio 2000 experience.
Importantly, DJ Cleo has also confirmed that The Eskhaleni brand is not necessarily finished. While the regular radio programme may no longer continue under his weekly hosting schedule, he said that this is certainly not the end of the brand. That statement leaves room for the Eskhaleni concept to develop beyond traditional radio and potentially take different forms in the future. His continued involvement in live gigs and music provides opportunities for the identity associated with the show to remain connected to audiences. The possibility of future Eskhaleni projects also means that fans do not necessarily have to view the end of the radio programme as the end of the experience.
DJ Cleo’s next phase will include a stronger focus on his academic journey as he continues studying for his degree. Balancing academic work with a long-established career in music presents a different challenge from managing a regular radio programme, but it is clearly an area he considers important enough to prioritise. His decision shows that professional success does not necessarily mean continuing with every opportunity available. By creating more time for education, he can pursue a personal goal while also developing the knowledge and skills that may support his future work. His academic journey will now become one of several major areas competing for his attention alongside music, family and live performances.
Music remains central to DJ Cleo’s plans, particularly through live gigs and artist development. His experience as a producer and DJ gives him a strong foundation for continuing to perform while working with emerging and established artists. Developing artists also allows him to use his industry knowledge in a way that extends beyond his own performances. His career has already demonstrated an ability to move between different areas of entertainment, making this next stage a natural continuation of his broader work in music. The decision to spend more time on these activities could allow him to explore creative opportunities that are difficult to pursue while maintaining a demanding radio schedule.
DJ Cleo’s decision to prioritise his peace and mental health also adds an important personal dimension to his departure from Radio 2000. Working in entertainment often requires public visibility, demanding schedules and the constant pressure to perform across multiple platforms. Choosing to step back from one commitment can create the space needed to manage other responsibilities while protecting personal wellbeing. By openly acknowledging the importance of his mental health, DJ Cleo has placed his personal needs alongside his professional ambitions. His decision demonstrates that changing direction can be part of sustaining a long-term career rather than an indication that an artist has reached the end of their journey.
DJ Cleo’s departure from Radio 2000 marks the end of a successful 28-month chapter, but it does not signal the end of his career in music and entertainment. His work on The Eskhaleni Party gave him an opportunity to reconnect with radio audiences while creating a programme that earned recognition through a Telkom Radio Awards nomination. Now, his attention will turn towards his degree, music career, live gigs, family and developing artists while he continues to protect his peace and mental health. His respectful comments about Radio 2000 and the SABC show that he intends to leave the station on positive terms and preserve the relationships built during his tenure. For his listeners and supporters, the next chapter promises a different version of DJ Cleo, one that remains firmly rooted in music while making space for education, family, personal growth and new creative opportunities.
