DJ hire gets you someone who plays the music, reads the room and keeps the dance floor going, usually with their own decks, speakers, microphone and basic lights. A wedding DJ often doubles as the MC, announcing the entrance, speeches, cake and first dance; a party DJ may only play from eight until midnight. Tell us the date, the venue, the number of guests, the kind of music and the hours you need, and DJs near you send a quote directly.
What a DJ brings to your event
Most DJs arrive with a complete setup, but the package differs, so check what is in the quote:
- Equipment: decks or a controller, a laptop, a mixer, a pair of speakers sized for your guests, a microphone and cables.
- Lighting: simple dance floor effects or a small light stand, sometimes with a smoke or bubble machine.
- Music library: current hits, classics, amapiano, house, gospel or Afrikaans favourites, depending on the crowd.
- MC duties: announcements, calling guests to the table, introducing speeches and keeping the programme on time.
For a large venue or tent you may need extra speakers from a sound hire company, so ask the DJ what their system covers.
Playlists, requests and the MC role
Send the DJ a must-play list, a do-not-play list and the key moments: the entrance song, first dance, parents' dance and last song. Ask for a short meeting or call to go through the run sheet, and agree how requests from guests will be handled. If the DJ is also the MC, make sure they are comfortable in the languages your guests speak, and have the names and pronunciations. For a corporate function, give the DJ the programme and the time each speaker is due, so music and speeches do not clash.
Hours, overtime and venue rules
Packages are normally four to six hours of playing time, plus setup and a sound check beforehand. Overtime is charged per hour and is usually R400 to R1,000. Check the venue's noise curfew, because a DJ may be asked to stop at 22:00 or 23:00 in a residential area or estate. Ask about power: a DJ rig needs a reliable plug point, and some DJs carry a backup laptop and a small power backup for load shedding. Add travel and accommodation if the venue is outside the DJ's usual area. For lighting, see lighting and LED screen hire.
What affects the price
DJs charge a fixed package for the event. Cost depends on the DJ's experience, how many hours they play, whether they MC, the size of the system and lights, the date, and travel. Saturdays in December and wedding season in spring and autumn cost the most. Get the quote in writing with the hours, equipment, overtime, deposit and cancellation terms, and ask for a recent video or reference from a similar event.
What to include in your request
- Event type, date, venue and the hours of music
- Number of guests and the age range
- Music styles and languages
- Whether you need an MC and a microphone
- Curfew and power supply at the venue
DJ Hire for different events
- Weddings and traditional ceremonies: a DJ and MC for the entrance, speeches, first dance and a full dance floor until the last song
- Corporate functions and year-end parties: background music at a cocktail hour, then a dance floor for the year-end function
- Conferences, launches and expos: walk-in music, entrance sound and a DJ for the gala dinner afterwards
- Birthdays and private parties: a 21st, 40th or home party playlist with a DJ who reads the crowd and takes requests
- Kids' parties and baby showers: a kids' party DJ with games, a dance competition and age-appropriate music
- School events and matric dances: a matric dance or fun day DJ who follows school rules on music, hours and content
- Funerals, church and cultural gatherings: church functions, unveilings and cultural parties with the right music and no clashes with the programme
- Festivals, markets and sports days: sets between bands, afternoon music at markets or a DJ stage at a community event
Frequently asked questions
How much does a DJ cost in South Africa?
Does the DJ bring speakers and a microphone?
Can the DJ also be the MC?
How long should I book the DJ for?
DJ Hire by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg