Denis Becket is a South African journalism hero. However, you might not remember his face. Now a columnist and writer, Beckett has a long history of asking important people real questions:

Denis Beckett is widely recognised as ‘that guy who was on television’. He was the editor of the prestigious Frontline magazine for many years and has been a columnist and commentator in print, on radio and TV. His long-running actuality TV series, ‘Beckett’s Trek’, was a South African favourite.

Now, 1996 was the year I started primary school. It’s also the year of birth of today’s 19 year olds. During that time, rave culture was massive and mirrored the PLUR lifestyle some of us have been lucky to share at a similar kind of party today. There are many differences – mainly the fashion – but there are still people today who attend parties and complain about the music or evolving scene, or advocates asking the difference between Molly and cigarettes and alcohol when questioned on the use of illegal substances.

Becket, acting on behalf of a lot of concerned parents, visited Mother Productions infamous ‘Rave Cave’. Through his journey, he interviews party-goers and organisers, some sober, some definitely not, hangs out in a chill room filled with polystyrene peanuts and even gets up on stage in an epic attempt to dance dance dance.

I would love to see what he thinks 20 years later – and if he has the energy maybe he should hit up Truth in Johannesburg for a follow up.

[source: pulseradio]