By: Natasha Archary
Sipho Mbonambi, popularly known as Mfana Kah Gogo joins DJ Keyez on the Ultimate Kaya 959 Top 30.
The 18-year old, South African music sensation started dabbling in hip hop when he was just in Grade 7.
His tough upbringing in eMangangeni, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) meant he needed to hustle to bring a little something home.
Raised by grandmother, the youngster was determined to carve a life for himself and his family.
Granny’s boy
His stage-name means “granny’s boy” and is an apt reflection of who he is. Owing everything to his beloved grandmother who raised his brother, himself and 5 other boys who were orphaned, the Hlal’ Ethembeni hitmaker shared where it all began.
“No one calls me by my full name, except my gogo. I was raised by gogo after my mom was laid off from her job.”
Mfana Kah Gogo opens up about his tough upbringing
Life was tough, and through the grace of God and his gogo’s daily prayers, the family survived. Moving around a lot during his childhood, the family got by on gogo’s grant.
Zwelibomvu, Tafelkop, eMangangeni, KwaNdengezi in Pinetown were some of the areas in KZN that his family moved between.
“Growing up in a big family, there were 7 of us that gogo looked after, we all made a promise to hustle and bring something home. One of the guys cut hair. We’d take piece jobs here and there just to help out where we could. Now, all I want to do is improve my gogo’s life somehow.”
Because they relied on each other so much, their bond as a family is why the “boy wonder” decided to stay in KZN, even after his music career took off.
Currently completing his matric at Fundinduku High School, the young artist says quitting school is not an option.
“I don’t just want to make music. My goal is to one day create jobs and get my other business ideas off the ground and I believe school will help me reach those dreams. It’s tough to balance everything, but I even take extra classes to help me with my grades.”
WATCH: Mfana Kah Gogo’s interview on the Ultimate Kaya 959 Top 30
Started from the bottom now he’s aiming for the top
Listening to the likes of Riky Rick, AKA, Nasty C, Emtee, Cassper Nyovest and Blaq Diamond inspired him to play around, writing his own lyrics.
When he was in Grade 10, Mfana Kah Gogo was hooked by the sound of amapiano and began making his own tracks.
His love for music started in church, which his gogo ensured the boys all attended.
“My gogo is a praying woman and she prays for me everyday, reminding me to be humble and grateful for all that happens.”
To his gogo, he will always be her little boy, despite making a name for himself already as the “new kid on the block”.
His video for his track Ukhalelani went viral and his first track Jabula which was released in 2021 has hit over a million views on YouTube.
View this post on Instagram
His debut album Inzalo ka Sikabopha is dedicated to his grandfather and family who have supported him throughout his journey.
The album is named after his “nkhulu” (grandfather) and means “Descendants of Sikabopha”.
Costa Titch and Mahotela Queens are amongst those who feature on Mfana Kah Gogo’s album which is set to drop in April.
