From the dusty streets of Makwarela, a voice has emerged determined to carry the sounds of Venda to the world. His name is Dombo Ke Star, a young artist who swapped soccer dreams for music and is now preparing to release his debut album, Naledzi, on 19 September.
"Dombo Ke Star is just a boy from Sibasa who turned his hustle and dreams into music," he says. Inspired by Davido, P-Square and Chris Brown, he insists his story is "real, raw, and from the streets of Venda".
Growing up in Venda shaped more than his outlook – it gave his music its backbone. "Venda gave me culture, rhythm and resilience," he explains. "The environment taught me to dream bigger even when opportunities looked small. I knew my voice could carry Venda to the world."
Naledzi, which means "star" in Tshivenda, is more than just an album title. It symbolises light rising from darkness – the sound of an artist who has wrestled with betrayal, doubt and financial struggles, and turned them into art. "It is my journey ... pain, love, dreams, betrayal, growth, but always keeping hope alive," he says.
Earlier projects showed a young artist searching for direction. This time he is certain of his path. Naledzi is more polished, more personal and more versatile, stretching across Afro-fusion, hip-hop energy and soulful storytelling. "People are going to hear my versatility," he promises.
The album was recorded in studios around Venda, with producer Wi'ce and Big Ropza at the helm and under the guidance of his manager, Ramadox. Every collaborator, he says, understood his vision. But the journey was not without hardship. "The hardest part was staying focused through personal struggles, fake friends, financial challenges, even doubt. But those same challenges gave the album its soul."
Collaboration has played a crucial role in his journey. Some partnerships showed him professionalism, others taught him patience, while a few revealed betrayals. "At the end, I learned to protect my energy and only work with people who believe in the music like I do," he says.
Freestyles and singles shared online built his early buzz, but Naledzi marks a step up. "Freestyles were my entry point; they showed people I had talent. But this is proof that I am an artist – not just bars, but concepts, storytelling, and emotions. I am here to stay."
The vision stretches beyond Venda and even beyond South Africa. "If Nigerian artists can take Afrobeat global, why can't Venda sounds travel too?" he asks.
Looking ahead, he envisions himself on international stages, proudly flying the Venda flag. His dream is to inspire the next generation to dream bigger than their circumstances. "I want my legacy to be about breaking barriers and showing the youth that no matter where you start, you can be a star."