Cynic-SA: The Daveyton roots behind an artist determined to tell the kasi story

For 26-year-old Thato Monageng, better known as Cynic-S.A, Daveyton is more than the place he calls home.

It is where his identity as an artist was shaped, where he found a new perspective on life and where he discovered the stories he wanted his music to tell.

Born on August 1, 2000, in Dennilton, Limpopo, Monageng moved to Daveyton at the age of 18 and grew up in Chris Hani, Sabatha Street.

The move marked an important chapter in his life.

Rather than describing it as an escape from hardship, Monageng sees his transition to Daveyton as a period of renewal.

“At 18 you start to see life differently. Coming to Daveyton gave me a new perspective, new people, new energy,” he said.

For Monageng, the sounds and scenes of Daveyton became part of his identity. He remembers taxis hooting, amapiano and hip-hop playing from houses, children playing in the streets, neighbours sitting outside and the familiar dusty roads after school.

He says the township taught him important values such as hustle, respect and resilience.

“That’s where Cynic-SA was made,” he said.

His musical journey began in Daveyton in 2018, when he started recording music at home and teaching himself along the way.

By 2021, he had released his first official online EP and decided to take his music career more seriously, to put Daveyton on the map.

His influences include local artists and creatives he encountered in the township, as well as South African hip-hop legends such as HHP and Pro, who showed him that artists could reach national audiences without abandoning their roots.

For Monageng, that connection to his roots is particularly important during Heritage Month.

“Heritage for me is home,” he said. “It’s how we were raised in Daveyton – respect, ubuntu, kasi culture, and the languages we hear every day.”

He sees Daveyton’s heritage as a meeting point between different cultures and experiences.
Having grown up in Limpopo before moving to Gauteng, he says his identity has been shaped by both places.

That influence can also be heard in the way he approaches hip-hop.

While the genre may have international roots, Monageng wants his own sound to remain distinctly South African and grounded in the communities that shaped him.

He believes music can play an important role in keeping those stories alive, particularly as younger generations become increasingly influenced by technology and changing lifestyles.

“My music is like a diary for the kasi that young people actually listen to,” he said.

For Monageng, documenting township life through music is also a way of challenging perceptions of Daveyton.

He believes the community is often reduced to negative stories, while its creativity, talent and sense of community receive less attention.

“Daveyton is not just what people see on the news. It’s full of talent, good people and real hustlers. There is a lot of hope here, not just struggle,” he said.

That spirit of resilience is also reflected in his latest single, Worst Comes To Worst, which explores perseverance and continuing forward during difficult moments.

Monageng says the song was inspired by a period when he was feeling down and had to remind himself to keep going.

“I told myself even if worst comes to worst, I must keep going,” he said.

He went to the studio that same week and wrote the song, turning his personal experience into a message he hopes other young people can relate to.

His ambition extends beyond his own career. As his music grows, he wants to continue representing Daveyton and Ekurhuleni while creating opportunities for other young people from the area.

“Wherever my career goes, I will always say I’m from Ekurhuleni. I want to open doors for the next kid from here,” he said.

Looking back at the young man who arrived in Daveyton at 18, Monageng believes he would be proud of how far he has come.

“He would say, ‘We are getting there, patiently as we thought’. We didn’t have much, but we kept believing,” he said.

His journey, he says, is proof that a person’s circumstances do not have to determine their future.

“You can be from a humble background and still follow your dreams. It will be hard, but keep working.”

For Heritage Month, Monageng hopes young people will remember that their roots are something to celebrate rather than leave behind.

“Let’s be proud of where we come from. Daveyton is my heritage. Let’s support each other and keep our culture alive.”

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