DJ Cleo Resigns From Radio 2000 After 28 Months As ‘Eskhaleni Party’ Host: “I’m Choosing My Peace”

• DJ Cleo shared a formal resignation letter on X, announcing his last show on Radio 2000 would air on Saturday, 22 August 2026
• The veteran DJ cited his music career, family, academic journey and mental health as reasons behind the decision
• Fans and followers flooded the comments, with many suspecting there was more to the story than DJ Cleo was letting on
• Briefly News spoke to psychologist Paula Quinsee who shared how to deal with a job loss

DJ Cleo has officially stepped away from Radio 2000 after more than two years at the SABC station, announcing his resignation in a formal letter shared on X on Friday, 21 August.

The veteran DJ, whose real name is Tlou Monyepao, confirmed that his final broadcast of The Eskhaleni Party with DJ Cleo would end at 1 am on Saturday, 22 August, bringing his 28-month run at the station to a close.

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His departure marks the end of a chapter that began on 5 April 2024, when he joined Radio 2000 and launched the show he personally named The Eskhaleni Party with DJ Cleo.

In his resignation letter, DJ Cleo looked back on his time at the station with pride, highlighting his work ethic and the success of his show.

He said he delivered a programme that went beyond the targets expected of him and also stepped in when colleagues were unavailable. He also pointed to his disciplinary record as one of the achievements he was proud of, saying he maintained professionalism throughout his time at Radio 2000.

“I stepped in for absent colleagues with absolute professionalism and maintained an unblemished disciplinary record with management,” he added

DJ Cleo also thanked Radio 2000 management, particularly Mr Tony Soglo, for allowing him to host the programme. He said seeing The Eskhaleni Party earn a Telkom Radio Awards nomination during its first year on air remained one of his biggest highlights.

Why is DJ Cleo leaving Radio 2000?

While DJ Cleo's letter praised his time at the station, he also made it clear that he wants to redirect his attention towards other areas of his life. The Goodbye hitmaker listed his music career, family and academic journey among the priorities that influenced his decision. He also placed particular emphasis on his peace and mental health.

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“I am choosing to refocus my energy on my music career, my family, my academic journey and most importantly my peace and mental health.”

His plans include dedicating more time to completing his degree, performing live and developing other artists. DJ Cleo specifically mentioned his protégés uMaifrend Womzulu and Pulinshki, among others, as part of his future plans.

The DJ also shut down speculation that he had resigned because another radio station had recruited him.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of DJ Cleo's letter came towards the end, where he appeared determined to leave his Radio 2000 chapter without publicly discussing anything that may have happened behind the scenes. Although he described his 28 months at the station as an “amazing” period, he added that he would not discuss the matter further.

“I had an amazing 28 months on the job and will not taint it by saying anything else beyond this point or on any platform,” he said.

That line immediately caught the attention of his followers, with several reading it as a sign that there could be more to his departure than the reasons outlined in the letter. DJ Cleo, however, maintained his respect for both Radio 2000 and the SABC, wishing the station well after his exit.

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Read the full letter below:

Mzansi reacts after DJ Cleo resigns from Radio 2000

The carefully worded letter did not go unnoticed, and followers were quick to read the subtext:

@MrMacSliz said:

"Sounds like there's more to this, but I respect the professionalism. Bridges remain unburned."

@OmnipotenttHP shared:

"Someone really angered you neh...You are not the type to just walk out, fela yalo."

@Thabo_kganakga remarked:

"They really angered you, hommie, and it's their loss."

@MondliShusha said:

"You just spoiled my weekend, chief."

@FlopGideon highlighted:

"On the twenty twost of August."

@j_nthato pointed out:

"A few weeks ago it was Kgomotso KG Moeketsi."

@Yandisa87376189 implored:

"Just tell us what happened and move on."

How to deal with a job loss

Speaking to Briefly News psychologist Paula Quinsee said that losing a job can affect much more than your finances because people often connect their jobs to their identity, purpose and sense of worth. She said that when people lose their job they may feel like they have also lost their purpose, social status, confidence or sense of belonging.

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Quinsee encouraged people to change how they view the situation. Instead of saying, “I lost my job,” she suggested saying “I’m in transition.” The idea, according to Paula Quinsee, is to frame unemployment as a temporary period of change rather than a personal failure.

Kgomotso “KG” Moeketsi plans court battle against SAfm

Meanwhile, Briefly News previously reported that veteran radio presenter Kgomotso Moeketsi announced plans to take SAfm to the High Court after her contract was terminated.

Moeketsi claimed that tensions began after a WhatsApp exchange with a listener and escalated when she raised concerns about technical failures on air.

Source: Briefly News