Number One. Daveyton’s Biggest Voice. SA’s Biggest Artist of 2025.
Kgotso Dube grew up in Daveyton on the East Rand. The same streets, the same corners, the same community that Say It Again Media calls home. And by the end of 2025, he was officially the number one artist across every single South African music chart — streaming, radio, and chart placement combined. His name is Thukuthela. And most people still don’t know he’s from right here.
“Funniest thing, I never knew any of the East Rand guys. All the guys in my hood just saw me coming out — and not a lot of people knew that I’m from Daveyton.”
From Daveyton.
To Number One.
Thukuthela — real name Kgotso Dube — is from Daveyton, East Rand. He’s part of the duo Thukuthela and JAZZWRLD (Kamohelo Monese), and together they built something nobody saw coming. From underground performances and local sets to headlining the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in March 2026 — their rise was rapid, sustained and completely on their own terms.
Their debut album “The Most Wanted” became the most-streamed South African album on global Spotify in 2025. Not just most streamed locally — globally. Their songs formed a large part of Spotify’s and Apple Music’s 2025 year-end lists, with multiple tracks in the top ten most-streamed songs in the country.
By year end, they were officially named the number one artists of 2025 across all South African music charts — a recognition based on streaming numbers, radio presence, and sustained chart placement. Not one chart. All of them. At the same time. From Daveyton.
“Winning a Grammy would be a dream come true. It’s about showing the world what South African music can achieve.”
The Songs That
Ran 2025.
Every one of these tracks is verified certified. This isn’t hype — this is what the numbers say.
What the Awards
Already Know.
The industry has been paying attention. These are the confirmed awards and recognitions Thukuthela has received.
3-Step.
The Sound After Amapiano.
Thukuthela and JAZZWRLD are pioneers of the 3-step genre — a soulful fusion of Afro-house, deep house, and rhythmic grooves that is building serious momentum as the country’s next export-ready sound. His vocal style is described as conscious, tribal and rhythmic. The feeling he creates is specific — you feel it before you understand it.
“It’s not about replacing Amapiano,” JAZZWRLD clarified in a recent interview. “3-step brings a soulful energy that hits differently.” Thukuthela added: “It’s versatile, making you feel and move at the same time.”
The Groove Cartel 3 Step Mix had fans buzzing before a single official release, featuring unreleased tracks that showcase the genre’s emotive and danceable quality. This is a sound that is building from the ground up — exactly the way Amapiano did before the world caught on.
Say It Again Media is based on the East Rand. Thukuthela is from Daveyton on the East Rand. This is exactly the kind of local story we exist to tell — and we’re proud to tell it properly. Follow him, stream his music, and remember you heard about him here first.
Follow Thukuthela
@thukuthela_szn · Daveyton · East Rand · SA
