In a moving speech at the launch of the Art Legacy Fund, Grammy-winning DJ Black Coffee publicly recommended a book by an author distributed by Bula Buka Publishers. The book, Gifted, Hunted and Haunted, is written by award-winning journalist and author Hosea Ramphekwa and was released in 2013.

Black Coffee made the remarks during the launch of the Art Legacy Fund, a new initiative aimed at providing structured support for South African artists facing financial hardship due to health issues, mental health struggles, or unexpected life events . The launch event was a gala dinner held at the Premier Hotel in Durban on Tuesday, 25 August 2026 . The fund, a shared vision of Black Coffee, DJ Tira, and DJ Merlon, raised over R3 million on its opening night . The evening also doubled as a celebration for DJ Tira’s 50th birthday . The purpose of the event was to create a “lasting support system” for creatives, ensuring they have a safety net during difficult times .

Upon learning of the endorsement, author Hosea Ramphekwa expressed his gratitude.

“Such a humbling and inspiring moment to learn that my book – Gifted, Hunted and Haunted – has had such an impact on the Legendary DJ Black Coffee, who read it over a decade ago.” – Hosea Ramphekwa

During his speech at the gala dinner, Black Coffee elaborated on the book’s profound message, which explains why talented individuals often face immense struggles. Video footage from the event shows him sharing the following insight:

“There is a book that I read. I won’t be able to quote it word by word. It is by Hosea Ramphekwa, it’s called Gifted, Hunted and Haunted. Please look it up if you are an artist… He speaks about how the gifted ones are hunted and haunted from birth. And he says that the reason the gifted people are hunted and haunted is because when they grow up and they become who we are; and they get the microphone and they can speak to millions and billions of people… So the devil knows where you gonna go. The devil knows how big you gonna become and the devil comes early in your life so you don’t get here to this microphone. So we grow up as very, very troubled people. That is why I have so much patience for fellow artists when they go through stuff…”

Gifted, Hunted and Haunted is available for purchase at Takealot. It is also available at Exclusive Books, Bargain Books, and Readers Warehouse.

It’s wonderful to see South African authors’ books touching artists in such a profound and empowering way – a testament to the power of local storytelling.

About Hosea Ramphekwa

Award-winning journalist and author Hosea Ramphekwa has built a writing career spanning over 15 years, earning his reputation as a compelling voice in sports journalism and African literature. A proud son of Tzaneen, Limpopo, he is a graduate of the University of Limpopo, Rhodes University, and the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. His previous titles include Gifted, Hunted & Haunted: Why Trouble Torments the Talented, Wait To Be Seated, and A Yellowbone With A Black Heart.

His highly anticipated fourth book, Pitso Mosimane: Cry Baby or Misunderstood Genius?, will be available in bookstores across South Africa and the SADC region within the next few days. “Pitso’s story is layered. He is as loved as he is loathed. This book unpacks the rituals, routines, and rivalries that have made him a force in African football,” Ramphekwa told the Daily Sun. He is distributed to bookstores by Bula Buka Publishers.

Full Speech by Black Coffee:

“There is a book that I read. I won’t be able to quote it word by word. It is by Hosea Ramphekwa, it’s called Gifted, Hunted and Haunted. Please look it up if you are an artist. Gifted, Hunted and Haunted. He speaks about how the gifted ones are hunted and haunted from birth.

And he says that the reason the gifted people are hunted and haunted is because when they grow up and they become who we are; and they get the microphone and they can speak to millions and billions of people, whether it is on TV, you know, whether I am winning a Grammy, the first thing I am gonna say is, ‘I wanna thank God.’

So the devil knows where you gonna go. The devil knows how big you gonna become and the devil comes early in your life so you don’t get here to this microphone. So we grow up as very, very troubled people. That is why I have so much patience for fellow artists when they go through stuff and because of this book that I read it made me understand that it’s not just because we want to, the devil doesn’t want you to have a podium. So you will be destroyed at every chance; you will be challenged. You be troubled.

You will go from drugs to rehab to alcohol. If you are a woman you will be molested, you will raped. All bad things will happen to you so you don’t walk your walk. And the main reason is so that you don’t tell the world about God. So as artist we carry so much weight in the world. Because without realizing we are preaching the word.”