TikTok sensation Loyiso Makoba thought he had finally hit the jackpot after a video of himself singing his then unknown but later famous song Uyagowa at a taxi rank caught the eye of a top musician who subsequently signed him under his record label.
However, he soon found himself hopping from one record label to another, with false promises that he would become a success.
Makoba, 34, admitted that the first record deal he signed while in Cape Town failed because he had started using drugs and became sidetracked from pursuing his goals.
“I worked for seven years for the company, and they really tried to help me before the decision to dismiss me, so I really don’t blame them,” he said.
“I didn’t like the direction my life was taking, not only was I losing my belongings but I also lost a part of who I am, so I had to pick myself up because I knew my talent would be the only ticket out of poverty.”
In 2023, his short-lived breakthrough happened when he met a local kwaito artist who promised to help him but ended up stealing his music and recording it as his own, while no royalties were paid to him.
While he was under that record label, Makoba said he spent more time collecting scrap metal and mounting tents for local community events than in the studio for the man who promised him a record deal.
His salary was a plate of food and cigarettes, while he worked an eight-hour shift.
“I felt betrayed and discouraged as nothing was working in my favour,” said Makoba.
Though he was tired of the life he was living, he said going back to his home village of Ngquthu in Butterworth was not an option because he was too ashamed of how his life had turned out.
After a year of homelessness, he caught the attention of music executive and philanthropist Man-B Tyekana, who did more than sign him under his record label.
When Tyekana heard about Makoba’s struggles via social media, he became intrigued by the 34-year-old’s raw talent and found a way to reach out to him with the intention to assist him to get back on his feet.
“I heard people talking about him and I was wondering where he was because he was out of sight after the taxi rank song he is known for,” said Tyekana.
“I eventually found him and offered him a place to stay.”
Tyekana said he saw that Makoba was sleeping in the same clothes that he wore every day, and realised how extreme his situation was.
“Even though it has been three weeks, I intend to keep him with me until he is able to stand up for himself.
“He has been taken advantage of, and I would hate to see him end up on the streets again with such talent.”
Daily Dispatch
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