For years, music lovers across Limpopo and beyond have been asking one question: whatever happened to Patrick “Polo” Matsila? The man behind the iconic Dzinginyisa Hloko hit seemingly vanished from the music scene at the height of his success, leaving fans with memories of a golden era of dance music.
Now, the mystery has finally been unravelled. Limpopo Mirror has tracked down the Shayandima-born Matsila in Pretoria, where he has quietly reinvented himself as a property developer, focusing on accommodation for students and nurses – a venture he says is thriving.
But long before his disappearance, Matsila was a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
“I produced and composed songs like Naja by Zulu and Costa, and Tobetsa in 2004 from the album House Station Vol 1,” he recalled.
Beyond performing, he was instrumental behind the scenes — producing, remixing and nurturing talent.
“I did my first remix, Soul to Dance Floor Club Anthem Tribal Bust, and worked on songs like My Lady Soul Temptation and It’s Too Late by Dolly Parton,” he said.
He also prides himself on pioneering sounds that are now mainstream.
“I was among the first to introduce Bacardi music and helped take Kelobedu music to the world,” he said.
Matsila worked with and mentored a number of artists, including Lenzo, Janisto, DJ Call Me, Charza the DJ (known for his contribution to Jerusalema), DJ Style, DJ Hunose and groups like Roots Koperative.
“I am very good at spotting new talent. Many artists started with me; some were dancers before becoming stars,” he said.
Despite stepping away, his influence continues to echo.
Though he has left the stage, Matsila’s legacy as both a hitmaker and kingmaker lives on — and perhaps not entirely in the past. “I might still give my fans one last song,” Matsila said.