Most people know Mmusi Maimane as a politician, a preacher, or more recently, a PhD graduate.
But long before he was making headlines for leading political movements or delivering sermons, Maimane was on a very different kind of stage—rapping and dancing as a kwaito artist.
And now, thanks to the internet’s never-ending love of throwback content, an old video of him performing has resurfaced—and gone totally viral.
The Clip That Had Everyone Talking
It all started when a user on X (formerly Twitter), @Sentletse, shared a nostalgic clip of a young Mmusi performing on a popular dance show on SABC 1.
Wearing a gold chain, floppy hat, and keeping a toothpick firmly in place, Maimane had serious stage presence as he jammed to his track Mjita Wako Kasi.
The video shows him vibing alongside backup dancers, fully immersed in the kwaito energy of the moment.
The crowd was into it—and judging by social media reactions, viewers today are too.
His Stage Name? Aloysia
Back then, Maimane went by his middle name, Aloysia, during his short-lived musical journey.
And the song in the viral clip? Yup, it was Mjita Wako Kasi—a title that roughly means “your guy from the hood.” Catchy, confident, and full of swagger.
When the video resurfaced, the 45-year-old took it in stride. “I was moving, cooking, and good-looking,” he joked in a reply on X.
He even teased the idea of a remix collab: “I think I need to do a remix with Booga Luv for this December.”
From the Stage to the Podium
While Maimane clearly had rhythm, he eventually left the kwaito spotlight behind to pursue a different kind of influence.
After resigning as leader of South Africa’s Democratic Alliance in 2019, he didn’t fade into political obscurity.
Instead, he launched the One South Africa Movement in 2020—a civic platform aimed at real reform.
Just two years later, he went even further and founded his own political party, Build One South Africa (BOSA), determined to shake up the political landscape and give South Africans more direct power in their democracy.
Yes, He’s a Pastor Too
Politics and music aside, there’s another layer to Mmusi Maimane’s identity: faith.
He’s an ordained minister and serves as an elder at Liberty Church in Johannesburg.
With a master’s degree in theology, Maimane frequently travels to preach both locally and internationally.
He once explained his vision of politics through the lens of faith:
“Politics is about two things—it’s about government and it’s about influence.
The only way Christians will become in charge of the nation is if the nation votes for them.”
So… Should He Have Stuck With Music?
After seeing the clip, many online couldn’t help but wonder: what if Mmusi had stayed in entertainment? With the charisma, charm, and stage moves he had, could he have made it big in the music industry?
While he’s clearly found his calling in activism, politics, and ministry, it’s fun to imagine a parallel world where Dr. Maimane is headlining music festivals instead of political rallies.
What Do You Think?
Do you think Mmusi Maimane made the right call leaving music behind, or does the kwaito world deserve a comeback single?
