MaTucha enters fray with Ba Tjele, talks collaborations
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday January 26, 2026 06:00
The DJ, artist and music producer from Phitshane Molopo is on a mission to reshape the country’s music landscape through sound and collaboration. Born to a Nigerian father and a Motswana mother, MaTucha’s relationship with music began at an early age. One can say music runs deep in MaTucha’s family. His father was a DJ, while his mother introduced him to music by encouraging him to play drums at church as a child, the foundation that made his transition into music seamless. He entered the music space in 2016 as a DJ before moving into production. As such, the move would shape both his sound and artistic vision.
“I saw a friend making beats on an app called Caustic 3, and that’s where the curiosity started. I began producing house music because it was trending at the time with the likes of Heavy K, then gradually upgraded my skills and moved to FL Studio,” he recalled in an interview with Arts&Culture. As Amapiano swept across Africa and beyond, MaTucha adapted, immersing himself in the genre by 2019. “When Amapiano started penetrating the scene, I joined the wave. It’s been Amapiano ever, until recently when 3-Step came over, although I haven’t released any 3-Step music yet,” he said.
In 2023, while studying at Eastern Mediterranean University in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, MaTucha released his debut album, Mjanji Way. The project came about at a time when Amapiano was gaining international traction, particularly in Europe, and the album resonated with audiences abroad. The album launch attracted a strong turnout and marked a defining moment in his career. But soon after, academic responsibilities took priority, temporarily pulling him away from the spotlight. Now back in Botswana and pursuing a Bachelor of Digital Media Degree at the University of Botswana, MaTucha says the timing is right to fully re-engage with music. His latest single, “Ba Tjele” (Tell Them), released on January 10, signals that return and reinforces the philosophy behind Mjanji Way, which is both an album title and the name of his record label.
“Mjanji is like a station, a place where people come together before heading to different destinations. For me, it’s about collaboration and creating something real,” he explained. MaTucha believes Botswana’s music industry suffers from limited collaboration, with artists often working only within familiar or elite circles. “You don’t know what I can do for you, just like I don’t know what you can do for me. That person you ignore might be the one you need,” he says. He argues that this approach limits the country’s global musical reach, despite the wealth of talent available. “We have the talent, but not enough platforms to connect it. I’ve seen talented people being exploited instead of supported. I want to create a system where if I win, the next person wins too,” he added. With his background, education and collaborative mindset, MaTucha envisions building an alliance of producers under the Mjanji Way banner, releasing compilation projects that feature both established and emerging artists.