It’s the beginning of a broke summer. I’ve just touched down from school for the semester, walking the dusty roads of my hood with a bag too big for my shoulders and sneakers already losing their glow. The latest lingo, the music, the aura — I’ve brought some of the city with me, but somehow the township always has its own rhythm.

Somewhere between the whistles of kids and the chatter of neighbours, a deep bassline spills from a tin shack, carried by 6×9 speakers and a hot sub. The groove is unmistakable: a bit of Kwaito, house and vernac, blending into the makings of a soundtrack to the Kasi.

Passing familiar streets, I think of that high school Betty who never noticed me, her pitbull of a father always chasing strays off the yard.

This is exactly what Dimakatso, KaeB’s latest track, reminded me of at first listen. It carries Kwaito’s DNA but moves with a jazz flair, noir soul, and a timeless bounce. To unpack it, I sat down with KaeB to talk about the story, the collaboration with Botswana’s Flex the Ninja, and how future-facing tools like AI shaped the rollout.

The Story Behind Dimakatso

Q1. How did Dimakatso come about, and how does it reflect where you’re from or the kind of sound you usually make?

KaeB: Dimakatso is one of those stories – familiar and almost cliché if you’ve lived long enough. You get stood up, next morning it’s “you’re gonna hate me.” It’s just another entry in the blues journal. I don’t make heartbreak music, I document moods. And this one had that calm ache to it. The beat carries that bounce, that noir soul & funk, that sofistikasi flair. It’s Joburg at night — a little sharp, a little soft, always in motion. That’s where I’m from. That’s the frequency.

On Working with Flex the Ninja

Q2. You teamed up with Flex the Ninja from Botswana — how did that connection happen, and how did your styles align?

KaeB: Flex and I go way back to the SoundCloud era. We met through SoundCloud. He’s not just a beatmaker; he’s a full-spectrum creative — editor, dancer, musician, sound guy. We built that trust over the years. He runs Shinobi Sound Studios, so beyond mixing and mastering, he knows when a record needs that extra touch. If he hears something and lays it down, we run it back. If it works, it stays. That’s the synergy — quiet, sharp, efficient. He co-produced Dimakatso.

On Audience and Reception

Q3. What surprised you about how people have received the track so far?

KaeB: If anything, I’m surprised people are still checking for my music like that. That’s always humbling. But the music itself? I knew it was fire. So seeing the love now just confirms what I already felt: we made something timeless.

Who Dimakatso is For

Q4. Who do you hope this song reaches? Any specific audience or vibe you’re hoping it connects with?

KaeB: People who move with taste. Lovers, drivers, thinkers — anyone with a bit of story behind their eyes. If you appreciate detail, if you bounce to the subtle stuff, this one’s for you. It’s head-nod music. It’s high-thread-count blues.

On Using AI for the Rollout

Q5. You’ve taken a unique approach with the rollout, especially using AI. How did that come together? Would you say it’s a first of its kind in SA music?

KaeB: Could be. But honestly, for most of us in the team — we’re trained digital artists. So it made sense to use what we’ve already got in our hands. We didn’t need a huge budget, just the right vision. AI helped us imagine beyond what money allows. We trained the tools on the world we know — noir films, elegance — and layered it with real design skill. It wasn’t about hype. It was about making something timeless from the ground up. Limitless, from a laptop.

Closing Reflection

This isn’t heartbreak music. It’s taste, history, and elegance in one. Dimakatso belongs on your playlist.

Stream the song everywhere now.

The RMB Latitudes Art Fair is coming back to Jozi, and just in time before we Fall into the Winter. From the 24th to the 26th of May 2024, Shepstone Gardens will transform into an art lover’s paradise. The fair is touted as ‘not just any art fair’; it promises to be a journey through the vibrant world of African contemporary art, and you’re invited.

Take a stroll through a lush garden surrounded by art, and witness marble halls, secret gardens, and even sculpture pavilions. There’s going to be a bit of everything – exhibitions, talks, films, you name it. It’s somewhat of a treasure hunt for art lovers, where every corner promises a new surprise.

Our fair is designed to foster a deeper connection between the art and its audience

Lucy MacGarry, the co-founder and director, has envisioned a fair that redefines the art-viewing experience. ‘We’re moving beyond the conventional gallery space,’ she says. ‘Our fair is designed to foster a deeper connection between the art and its audience, set against a backdrop that’s truly African. It’s a place where the art community comes together, offering equal opportunities for all participants.’

The fair’s curation reflects its commitment to showcasing the diversity and talent of African artists. The talks program will feature distinguished international speakers, sparking conversations that highlight the significance of African contemporary art on the global stage.

Carolynne Waterhouse from RMB speaks about their dedication to the arts: ‘Our support for the creative economy is a testament to our belief in the transformative power of creativity. It enriches our lives and contributes to economic growth and community development.’

Accessibility is a key aspect of the fair, as Roberta Coci, another co-founder, points out. ‘We aim to create an inviting atmosphere where everyone, from avid collectors to those new to the art world, can engage, learn, and find art that resonates with them,’ she explains. And for those who can’t attend in person, the fair’s offerings are available on the Latitudes Online platform, making it possible for art enthusiasts worldwide to participate.

Go ahead and mark your calendars for the RMB Latitudes Art Fair at Shepstone Gardens, from the 24th to the 26th of May. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit latitudesartfair.com.

The enduring township tale of Honey and Gavini continues and is a lot closer than you can imagine. Created by Rendani Nemakhavhani and Kgomotso Tleane; the Honey Teams up with J&B Hive Johannesburg  to bring the romance to life with a showcase at the J&B Hive Johannesburg located at 62 Juta str. Braamfontein (above the Stevenson Gallery, floor 5) on the 5th of May 2016.  Be there at 18:30 and watch the story unfold right in front of you! – One day only!

Hi There

I am Lethabo Ngakane, Editor in Chief of Kaffein Magazine. Yesterday I allowed an article titled “For Black Girls Only – Unity In Segregation?”  to be published on our website. The article interrogated certain elements of #FBGO , mainly arguing/questioning whether their approach to tackling the matter of gender inequality and race is appropriate in the sociopolitical climate we’re currently facing in South Africa.

Some of you have voiced a dislike/disagreement with parts of the article and some of you the entire article; of which you are within your right to do. So in considering all opinions at play, it’s become very important for me to take this opportunity to clearly define what Kaffein Magazine is all about, our vision and brand values.

Kaffein Magazine is a publication that documents South Africa’s creative youth. We pride ourselves in scouring the earth for emerging talent and being among the first to share their stories in the most effective, honest and intimate conversational ways.

Our vision is:

• To be the most reliable source that publishes stories about South Africa’s creative youth.
• To bring awareness to social issues that affect the youth through art and our content.

One of our strongest values is honesty; reporting honestly and without bias. We not only have our readers best interests at heart but also our writers. With that said, the article reflected someone’s personal truth (her story, her journey, her opinion), which may or may not be the case for others. Kaffein Magazine is a platform that creates a space to critically engage and spark dialogue where all can express themselves freely.

Publishing the article was not with the intention to offend anyone but rather to share someone’s story. People are different and have different perceptions and views and that’s what creates dialogue, that’s what challenges our thoughts, that’s what teaches and that’s what creates diverse art forms for a diverse youth. We know that some are deeply offended and that some are grateful for the article and we appreciate all the feedback received thus far.

Knowing that some of you were insulted or upset by the views expressed by the Writer, we invite you to please continue to share your thoughts with us by commenting on the article or you too can email me personally at lethabo@kaffeinmagazine.co.za if you would like to counter the opinion piece with one of your own articles. I will review and publish it to ensure that our readers get a balanced point of view.

We pride ourselves in our values and the work we put forward and we thank you for your time and your support. Please do not let one article deter you from enjoying other content we have and will continue to publish.

Photo By: Anthony Bila