King Monada and the story behind the man, his roots, and his evolving legacy in music

King Monada and the story behind the man, his roots, and his evolving legacy in music

King Monada is a South African music icon known for his unique Bolobedu house sound. Hailing from Limpopo, his roots and culture strongly shape his music. Over the years, he has built a reputation for blending tradition with modern beats, creating a sound all his own.

South African music icon King Monada
South African music icon King Monada. Photo: @King Monada (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key takeaways

  • Born in Limpopo, King Monada’s music reflects his Bolobedu heritage.
  • Popularised the Bolobedu house with his distinctive vocals.
  • Known for hits like Ska Bhora Moreki and Malwedhe.
  • His real name is Khutso Steven Kgatle.

King Monada profile summary

Name

Khutso Steven Kgatla (King Monada)

Date of Birth

25 November 1992

Place of Birth

Tzaneen (Mokgolobotho Village),

Limpopo, South Africa

Age

33 (as of 2025)

Nationality

South African

Ethnicity

Bolobedu/Khelobedu

Religion

Not publicly confirmed

Zodiac Sign

Sagittarius

Height

Approx. 5′7″ (~173 cm)

Weight

Approx. 65 kg

Hair Colour

Black

Eye Colour

Dark Brown

Parents

Thandi Matlala (mother), and Elvis Kgatla (father-deceased)

Siblings

At least two brothers

Marital Status

Married

Spouse

Lerato Ramawela, Cynthia Nthebatse Leon

Children

Kgothatso Junior, Temoso (and others reported)

Profession

Singer, songwriter, record producer

Net Worth

Estimated ~R39–R58 million

Social Media

Instagram

X (Twitter)

Facebook

TikTok

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King Monada's bio

King Monada was born in Tzaneen, Limpopo, South Africa, and is a celebrated South African singer, songwriter, and record producer. Hailing from the Bolobedu region, his music is heavily influenced by his cultural roots, blending traditional sounds with modern Bolobedu house.

He rose to fame with hits like Ska Bhora Moreki and Malwedhe, earning recognition both locally and internationally. Known for his distinctive vocal style and energetic beats, King Monada continues to evolve as an artist while inspiring the next generation of musicians.

What is King Monada's real name and age?

King Monada’s real name is Khutso Steven Kgatla, and his date of birth is 25 November 1992, which makes him 33 years old as of 2025.

Five facts about King Monada
Five facts about King Monada. Photo: @kingmonadamusic (modified by author)
Source: Original

Which language does King Monada speak?

King Monada primarily speaks Khelobedu, a dialect of the Northern Sotho (Sepedi) language spoken in the Limpopo province of South Africa. He also speaks English, which he uses for interviews and broader communication.

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Khelobedu enabled him to communicate and get a wide fan base in his local area easily. His musical journey was, however, not easy as he was based in the rural Limpopo region, a place where artists like him did not have adequate facilities and opportunities for exploring music.

“This genre of music is called Bolobedu house music, but many people do not really understand it. And musicians who are doing this kind of music in the rural areas do not have strong connections in the industry,” he explained.

King Monada's family

The king of bolobedu music was raised in a family consisting of 5 siblings. His mother is named Thandi Matlala, while his father is named Elvis Kgatla. As the middle child, he has two siblings following him, while his older siblings are Michael and Lucky.

Is King Monada married?

King Monada is married. Lerato Ramawela is widely reported as King Monada’s first wife. They have been together since before his rise to fame and celebrated a long-term relationship spanning over a decade.

Cynthia Nthebatse Leon (sometimes cited as Cynthia Nthebatse Lion) is identified as his second wife. His marriage to her came later, and she has been publicly linked to him alongside Lerato.

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How many kids does Monada have?

King Monada has three children. These include his son Kgothatso Junior and daughter Temoso, and a third child (a daughter born in January 2020 with Cynthia Leon).

Musical career

King Monada began his musical journey rooted in Bolobedu house and quickly gained attention for his unique vocal style. His first song, Ska Bhora Moreki, became a nationwide hit and introduced the world to his signature “Aye Kuwa” ad-lib, which is now a recognisable trademark in his music.

Over the years, he has released several songs that topped South African charts, including Malwedhe, Tshikwama, and Fela. King Monada has also launched albums that showcase his evolving sound while staying true to his cultural roots, solidifying his place as one of South Africa’s most influential contemporary musicians.

“Ex Yaka” is one of King Monada’s popular Bolobedu house tracks, known for its catchy rhythm, humorous storytelling, and signature vocal style. In the song, King Monada sings about dealing with an ex-partner who wants to come back into his life after previously leaving him, blending comedy with relatable relationship themes.

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Year

Album

2013

Con Toda la Fuerza

2013

El Muro

2013

Makumba

2014

Pura Actitud

2014

Juegue Monada Juegue

2016

Molamo

2018

Cuarteteando

2018

D’une Rive a L’Autre

2019

Летели на юг

2020

Noka Yao Goma

2020

Ex Ya Drama

2022

Wa Mpona Na

2023

Location

2023

Lemenemene

2024

I Know What I’m Doing

2025

I Khant Do Dhis Enimo

Music awards

King Monada has established himself as one of South Africa’s most influential artists, particularly in the Bolobedu house genre. Over the years, he has received multiple awards recognising his talent and impact on the music industry.

His hits, including Malwedhe and Taba Txaka Ke Txaka, have earned him accolades for both performance and songwriting. Monada’s achievements highlight his role in popularising his cultural sound while gaining national and regional recognition.

Table of awards and achievements

Year

Award

Details

2016

FAME SA Awards

Best Sepedi Artist, Best Dance Artist, Entertainer of the Year

2018

Limpopo Music Awards (LIMA)

Song of the Year, Best Khelobedu Single, Best Duo/Group Collaboration

2020

DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards

Favourite Music Artist/Group (Viewer-voted)

2020

Chart Achievement

Malwedhe became a viral hit and charted nationally

Ongoing

Genre Influence

Popularised Bolobedu house music nationally and internationally

Music label

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As an independent artist, the Tzaneen-born singer has his own music label named “King Monada Music.” The artist also owns a beautiful mansion in his home village at Mokgoloboto. He also happens to own his music studio located inside the mansion.

Is King Monada a millionaire?

Yes, South African musician King Monada is considered a millionaire, with reports placing his net worth at over R15 million (South African Rand), stemming from his successful music career and lucrative performances. He's known for his lavish lifestyle, including luxury cars like a McLaren and Ford Raptor, solidifying his status as a wealthy artist in Mzansi (South Africa).

King Monada's cars

The singer owns a multi-million-rand car collection that reflects his success as a top South African artist. His garage includes a mix of luxury vehicles, high-performance models, and practical rides, which he often showcases on social media.

Car model

Type

Mercedes-Benz V-Class

Luxury MPV

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

Performance sedan

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon (G63 AMG)

Luxury SUV

BMW M4 Limited Edition

Sports coupe

Ford Ranger Raptor

Performance pickup truck

Toyota Hilux

4×4 Pickup

Range Rover

Luxury SUV

McLaren 570S (or similar)

Supercar

Motorbike (reported)

Motorcycle

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Trivia

  • He is known for his signature ad-lib “Aye Kuwa!”, which appears in many of his hit songs.
  • His global viral hit “Malwedhe (Kea Idibala)” inspired the famous “fainting dance,” which took over social media worldwide.
  • King Monada dropped out of school in Grade 8 to pursue music full-time, a decision that later shaped his successful career.
  • He built his own recording studio in his village to support local talent and create opportunities for young musicians.
  • Despite his fame, he still communicates mainly in Khelobedu, proudly promoting his cultural roots.
  • He is known for humorous, storytelling-style lyrics that often reflect everyday relationship experiences.
  • King Monada is a lover of fast and luxury cars, including a McLaren and multiple Mercedes-Benz models.

King Monada’s journey reflects talent, perseverance, and cultural pride. From his humble beginnings to international recognition, he continues to evolve as an artist. His music leaves a lasting legacy, inspiring both fans and future musicians alike.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Peter Kinuthia avatar

Peter Kinuthia Peter Kinuthia is a 2018 graduate of Kenyatta University with a Bachelor's degree in Health Services Management. With over five years of copy-writing experience about media, lifestyle, and health affairs, Peter has cemented a solid career in copy-writing/journalism. He previously worked with Ace My Homework before joining the Briefly team in 2017. With over 5 years of experience in Briefly, Peter has become a remarkable wordsmith. (Email: petekinuthia9@gmail.com)

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Kevin Omuya (Lifestyle writer) Kevin Omuya is a professional content writer with over three years of experience. At Legit.ng, he has contributed to extensive research on various topics such as celebrity news, fashion, and biographies. He has also worked as an editor and content creator at SportsCulture and CottageMed. In 2019, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University. You can reach him through his email: komuya89@gmail.com