Gregory “Kekelingo” Mabusela
Kekelingo Mabusela (born Gregory Kekeletso Mabusela) is a musician from Soweto, Johannesburg. His musical career began in 2001, when his art and culture teacher gave him the task of building musical instruments. Mabusela started by building plastic drums from recycled buckets and cans. He also made a plastic horn out of plastic bottles and a roll container that produced saxophone and trumpet tones.
In 2007, Mabusela walked down Vilakazi Street in Orlando, playing for tourists. Later, he began to spend a lot of time in New Town, Johannesburg, in front of the Market Theatre, where he met Hugh Masekela. Masekela was fascinated by the sounds that Mabusela’s horn produced and encouraged him to continue playing the instrument.
In 2009, Mabusela participated in South Africa’s Got Talent and reached the semifinals. This event marked the beginning of his career as a full-time musician. In 2010, Mabusela joined the internationally award-winning band Muffinz as a drummer and singer. The MuffinzBandhas already been nominated for the South African Music Awards (2013) and received the Metro FM Best Group Award (2014). Mabusela himself has made guest appearances at the Holland Festival with the play Enyangeni in the course of his career and has also appeared at the Moya Chekhov International Theatre Festival. In 2023 he released his first EP. Now Mabusela is working as a singer and performer in Selemo in collaboration with the Neuköllner Oper, the Komische Oper Berlin and the Centre for the Less Good Idea.
As of January 2026
In 2007, Mabusela walked down Vilakazi Street in Orlando, playing for tourists. Later, he began to spend a lot of time in New Town, Johannesburg, in front of the Market Theatre, where he met Hugh Masekela. Masekela was fascinated by the sounds that Mabusela’s horn produced and encouraged him to continue playing the instrument.
In 2009, Mabusela participated in South Africa’s Got Talent and reached the semifinals. This event marked the beginning of his career as a full-time musician. In 2010, Mabusela joined the internationally award-winning band Muffinz as a drummer and singer. The MuffinzBandhas already been nominated for the South African Music Awards (2013) and received the Metro FM Best Group Award (2014). Mabusela himself has made guest appearances at the Holland Festival with the play Enyangeni in the course of his career and has also appeared at the Moya Chekhov International Theatre Festival. In 2023 he released his first EP. Now Mabusela is working as a singer and performer in Selemo in collaboration with the Neuköllner Oper, the Komische Oper Berlin and the Centre for the Less Good Idea.
As of January 2026