Refentse Mokobe
Internationally recognised reggae and dancehall artist, Teboho Montse, aka ‘Pepsin x Mkhanyakude’, brought music and community together at his Echo of Royalty: Black Child Salute Homecoming Rub-a-Dub event at Cattleya House of Rastafarian in Kimberley, on 17 October, where he reconnected with the community that raised him.
Pepsin, who grew up in Kimberley, now based in Gauteng, said the homecoming was an opportunity to give back to the community that helped shape his life.
Through this initiative, he hopes to inspire young people to recognize that their backgrounds do not define who they are or determine how far they can go in life.
The Rub-A-Dub activation served as a build-up to the main Black Child Salute event scheduled for 12 November 2026, as well as to two other programmes scheduled after the main event.
The other two upcoming events are the Music Business Workshop and a Blankies for Grannies Charity Event scheduled for November.
Pepsin said the main event will be about “healing, inspiration and motivation,” hence inviting the Kimberley community to come together and be part of the experience.
“It will be free to attend, create a space where people can connect, find inspiration and celebrate their identity,” he said.
He encouraged young people to embrace their roots and their potential.
The musician who was raised by his grandparents said he desires to plough back in his community.
Through the initiative, blankets were distributed to grandmothers in Kimberley and Gauteng during winter to help protect them from the cold.
His grandmother played a significant role in shaping his view on life, which inspired him to honour her through his Blankets for Grannies initiative.
“Hence, celebrating the existence of the grannies is also celebrating my own grandmother,” he said.
Pepsin further invests in grooming young talents for the entertainment industry through his label, Maximum Stylez Record Label, which he runs together with his wife.
The label has been responsible for nurturing young talent and has provided a platform for these artists to develop their musical careers.
The activation also featured performances by Jeremiah Bongani Mandlnazi, known as Jeremiah Fyahises, from Springs, Johannesburg; Katlego Grace, known as Maffie Gee, originally from Barkly West in the Northern Cape; and 14-year-old Kimberley hip-hop artist Nkosingiphile Khumalo, known as Young Elementz.
Fyahises said the gathering represented giving back to the community and promoting unity through music.
He said reggae music is an element of Rastafarian culture which promotes “one love, unity and peace” while giving emerging artists exposure through performances and open-mic sessions.
The youngest performer of the day was 14-year-old Young Elementz, who said music helps young people express their inner thoughts and keeps them away from drugs and negative influences.
Reflecting on his performance, he said he appreciated the crowd’s response, which was beyond his expectations.
Beyond the performances, the activation created an atmosphere of connection and togetherness. Conversations flowed among attendees, creating an atmosphere of friendship and finding common ground as performances got underway,
The lively atmosphere reflected the sense of unity and shared enjoyment that Pepsin’s homecoming sought to foster.
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