Assisting up-and-coming rural artists would be music to Monada’s ears

LIMPOPO – Born as Khutso Steven Kgatla, the 27-year-old muso says his vision is to turn Tzaneen into a place where dreams are made.

Monada was born in Ga-Lekhotho in Bolobedu, outside Tzaneen and is the son of Thandi Matlala and the late Elvis Kgatla.

Monada is aiming for a 2019 Limpopo Music Award (Lima) which takes place next month.

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“This is where dreams are and will be made,” Monada told CV as he tested his new state-of-the-art system. He pointed to his affinity for German cars and said:

“Everything you can see here comes from sweat and hard work. I did not get them in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town or Pretoria, I got them here in Tzaneen. It has always been my dream to help local artists make it in the industry. I knew there has always been an avalanche of talent in Limpopo waiting to be explored and nourished.”

He said that he took his savings from the proceeds of his gigs to build this studio, which he believes will go a long way in unearthing untapped talent from the province.

“Going to bed on an empty stomach was a daily experience because it was not a secret that I grew up into an impoverished family.

” I was not good at school – my first love was to become a recognisable artist. I would run to my uncle, Michael Matlala who was a known guitarist, to play with him as a backing vocalist. My break came one day when Matlala ran a bakery promotion. Since then, I have not looked back,”added Monada.

Among many awards, Monada has won a 2018 Lima for best kheobedu single, 2018 Lima for song of the year, 2018 Lima for best due/group collaboration, 2017 Lima for best khilobedu single and 2016/2017 Sabc summer song of the year top 10.

“Through hard work, perseverance and dedication, you can make a success here at home and I am living proof of that,” he concluded.

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