From Wolseley to the World: The Raw, Resonant Voice of Victor Fredericks

When Victor Fredericks speaks, you don’t just hear a voice - you hear a legacy. A poet, musician, and storyteller hailing from the small South African town of Wolseley, Victor is proof that powerful artistry can grow from even the humblest of roots. In a recent interview on 89.5 FM’s The Morning Cruise, Victor opened up about his creative journey, his family’s deep influence, and how programs like Agri’s Got Talent and ATKV-Crescendo helped shape the voice we hear today.

 

 

Victor’s love for storytelling began with poetry. “Way back in the days,” as he puts it, he penned his first poetry bundle Afrikaans in 2001, later moving into short stories and collaborative books—including one co-authored with his father before his passing. That personal history runs like a current through Victor’s music, much of which he describes as “raw and honest” - a reflection of lived experiences and deep emotional truths.

The role of family in Victor’s journey is undeniable. His mother sang soprano in the church choir, and his father was an avid Afrikaans radio listener. They were his earliest supporters, even rising before dawn to help him catch a train to a performance. “They were there all the way,” he recalls, with heartfelt gratitude.

Language and identity are central themes in Victor’s work. Afrikaans isn’t just a medium for him, it’s the very fabric of his upbringing. “We dream in Afrikaans,” he says. While the language carries historical baggage, Victor is part of a new generation using it as a tool for storytelling, pride, and connection, especially within the Coloured community. “Afrikaans is not a second or third language where I come from. It’s the language.”

His artistry spans poetry, music, and theatre. One turning point came when respected poet Dr. Diana Ferris encouraged him to set her poetry to music. That leap—blending spoken word with melody—opened a whole new dimension of creative expression.

Victor’s latest single, Blackberry Juice and Gin, was born from the ATKV-Crescendo mentorship program, which he credits with helping him find his unique sound. “Back in the days, I used to write this ordinary Afrikaans,” he explains. “Now they showed me different genres.” Guided by producers and mentors like Eddie String and Morné Graster, Victor found both growth and community within the program.

As he gears up to launch his new single on May 16th at the Summerhill Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, Victor is excited to share the stage with fellow artists from the Crescendo program, including Yolanda Vahner and Ricku Lahti. Tickets are available via Quicket or the ATKV website.

For fans wanting to follow his journey, Victor is active on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok under his full name. His final message to listeners? A rallying cry for resilience and self-belief: “If you’ve got a dream, follow it. Make sure you’re on a positive path so you can become the person you were meant to be.”

Victor Fredericks isn’t just keeping Afrikaans music alive, he’s reshaping it, one honest lyric at a time.

 

 Written by Ryan Growney

Presenters: Mkhuseli “Khusi” Veto