Maja Ka Thata: From Testing the Waters to the NMAs

When the news came that Maja Ka Thata had been nominated for the National Music Awards, the reaction was far from calm. There was nervousness, excitement and, for a moment, disbelief.

For a relatively young hip-hop collective still finding its feet in Lesotho’s music industry, the nomination represented more than an award opportunity. It was confirmation that their work was beginning to attract attention beyond the circles in which they started.

According to founder Kopano Mphunyane, the group did not enter the National Music Awards with an expectation of walking away as nominees.

“When we submitted, we just wanted to be part of something big such as the National Music Awards. So we had an intention to test our recognition while at it,” Mphunyane said.

That test appears to have produced an encouraging result.

The nomination comes at a time when Maja Ka Thata is still relatively new to the industry, making the recognition particularly significant for a group that is yet to establish a lengthy catalogue or years of experience.

Mphunyane says their short journey has already produced moments that have exceeded their expectations, with their performance at Cleketseng this year standing out as their biggest achievement so far.

“We are hoping to get even bigger recognition and achievements,” he said.

For Maja Ka Thata, however, the nomination is not simply about an award. It is also an indication that their unconventional approach to building the group may be working.

Mphunyane says he came to the realisation that, despite being able to rap, he could not build the vision alone. He therefore brought together a group designed to offer versatility and variety.

“I realized that in as much as I know how to rap, I couldn’t do it on my own hence I decided to put together a group that is versatile and has variety,” he explained.

That variety, he believes, has contributed to the attention Maja Ka Thata has received.

But Mphunyane is clear about how he wants the group to be understood.

“We are a movement.”

It is an important distinction. Maja Ka Thata is not positioning itself merely as another hip-hop crew competing for space in an increasingly crowded music scene. The group sees itself as part of something larger, a movement around hip-hop, identity and the continued evolution of Sesotho rap.

And that journey has not been without its disappointments.

Mphunyane says that one of the biggest lessons has been discovering that the music industry can be considerably more complicated than it appears from the outside.

“When all these good things are happening, you start also learning how tricky and challenging the thing that looked easy and glamorous on the outside can easily become full of disappointment and unfulfilled promises,” he said.

That reality has taught the group patience and perseverance.

“Patience and virtue. This journey has been very challenging and bumpy,” Mphunyane says when reflecting on the lessons they have learnt so far.

Perhaps one of the most important lessons has also been the need to approach music as a business.

Mphunyane says he quickly realised that artists need to work strategically rather than simply working harder.

“To work smart and not hard,” he said.

He has also learnt that a single song can potentially change an artist’s life, a realisation that has encouraged Maja Ka Thata to think beyond their current position.

“We are now dreaming bigger,” he said.

Their National Music Awards nomination also comes at an interesting moment for hip-hop in Lesotho. Mphunyane believes the genre, and particularly Sotho rap, is receiving greater recognition and respect in the country, although he believes there is still a gap when it comes to the business side of the industry.

“Yes, but mainly the business side, because hip hop and Sotho rap are now given the recognition and respect in our country,” he said.

For Maja Ka Thata, there is something particularly powerful about being recognised while remaining true to who they are.

“This moment means so much, to be recognized for being yourself,” Mphunyane said.

Interestingly, he believes some of the group’s strongest support has come from outside the country.

“Although we seem to actually have more support from South Africa than Lesotho,” he adds.

That cross-border interest could become increasingly important as the group looks to expand its audience and establish itself beyond the local scene.

For now, however, their attention is firmly on the National Music Awards and what remains one of the biggest questions of the group’s young career: what happens if Maja Ka Thata actually wins?

Mphunyane does not hesitate when imagining the moment.

“First of all I feel like we would cry that stage if we won.”

But the emotion would quickly give way to responsibility.

“After that we would have to put in more work and show people that we are not taking chances.”

That perhaps captures Maja Ka Thata’s approach to the nomination itself. They may be newcomers, but they do not want to be treated as a passing moment.

Mphunyane believes a National Music Award would provide the group with more than a trophy to place on a shelf.

“The NMAs are a huge platform so I believe winning the award would be a big boost for us. That goes into our portfolio and it would certainly speak volumes and help with our branding.”

For a group that initially entered the awards simply hoping to test whether it had gained enough recognition to belong on such a platform, the nomination itself is already an answer.

But Maja Ka Thata appears unwilling to stop at recognition.The nomination has given the movement a bigger target, a bigger dream and, perhaps most importantly, a reason to believe that the road ahead could be considerably bigger than the one they initially imagined.

Whether they leave the National Music Awards with a trophy or simply the experience of being among the nominees, Maja Ka Thata has already made one thing clear: they are no longer merely testing the waters. They are ready to make a bigger splash.

Chris Theko

A Professional Communications practitioner with a wealth of expertise in marketing, public speaking, communication and media relations. I believe in learning everyday and improving one’s personal and professional capabilities.

* A former journalist and radio host who is passionate about media and it’s impact on society.