Toriso: Mojalefa Rabodila's Journey from Sunday School to Stage
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On JustGospel's Faith at Work with Malefa, singer-songwriter Mojalefa Rabodila shared how God pursued him through music—from dropping out of multiple courses to backing for legends, culminating in his gratitude album Toriso.
The Cousin Who Lit the Spark
Born and raised in Sebokeng Zone 12, Mojalefa grew up in church. "I visited my grandmother in Free State. My cousin sang in the worship team—he was the worship leader. He inspired me so much. I wanted to be like him. Singing came naturally because my guy was doing this thing." His cousin stayed the passion that would define his life.
The Dropout Who Couldn't Escape His Calling
After matric, Mojalefa pursued fitting and turning at technical school. "The very same year I matriculated, I did my first professional gig. After that experience, I knew I wanted to be on stage." He kept dropping out, chasing the passion. "Sometimes I would skip exams for rehearsals. My mom would get very angry."
He tried other courses but never lasted. "I never stood the test of trial. Music kept disturbing me." His mother, a preacher, understood. "She knew if this is my calling, the Bible says it will usher you before great people, before kings. She prayed for me and still prays. I've been doing pretty good."
The Contract That Changed Everything
His biggest break came in 2011 auditioning for A New Song in Joburg. "First audition, they were happy with me. This group exposed me to music business, places I'd never been. I was on a plane for the first time—this thing is real!"
The game-changer? "That was the first time I sat in a boardroom to sign a contract about royalties, needle time. For me, music was: you get paid, you go home. Nothing binds you. But there were royalties, percentages coming to me. I'm like: so I can make money—serious money. I sat with people I'd seen on TV. 'This is the only thing you do?' They said: 'Yeah, and you're a songwriter—you can go very far.'"
What he took forward: "How professional they were about this thing. How they documented everything, put everything in place. We should honor contracts and agreements so relationships work smoothly going forward."
Backing for the Legends
Working as backing vocalist, he met "so many amazing people—talented people. I worked with musicians all day. I learned things applicable in music that we didn't study. I worked with people with PhDs in music. It opened me up so much vocally. It's still difficult to completely let go of being a backing vocalist. I still do it for a few artists because I need to do my stuff too."
A defining moment: "My mom listened to a lot of Semimalita's music. I got to work with Semimalita's son Selomale as backing vocalist. During his recording, his grandfather Bishop Malete came on stage. They did a song together. That moment left me—I'm part of something great."
Toriso: The Gratitude Album
His pastor at Rock of Ages once said: "If there's one thing God cannot do for Himself, it's to praise Himself. As talented and gifted as you are, you're called to do this one thing God cannot do—which is praise Himself."
The 13-track album emerged from survival. "My wife and I were affected by COVID. The person who infected my wife passed on. We heard it and it looked like it was going that direction. When we survived, I started writing songs of gratitude: ke kamo hao. Also asking people: have you heard about Jesus? The man is a wonder. You need to know that man. I was writing from a point of being grateful, full of gratitude for what the Lord has done."
The title track he wrote in 2011 for A New Song, redone here. His most special? "Agieko Fanana—a public domain song we know and love, grew up on. On that day, it came out differently. I listened today—I still feel chills. Whatever happened, it's an experience I want to take for the rest of my life."
What's Next
"Definitely want to perform more. I'm not getting any younger—we have fresh blood coming through, amazing kids who can sing.
The Cousin Who Lit the Spark
Born and raised in Sebokeng Zone 12, Mojalefa grew up in church. "I visited my grandmother in Free State. My cousin sang in the worship team—he was the worship leader. He inspired me so much. I wanted to be like him. Singing came naturally because my guy was doing this thing." His cousin stayed the passion that would define his life.
The Dropout Who Couldn't Escape His Calling
After matric, Mojalefa pursued fitting and turning at technical school. "The very same year I matriculated, I did my first professional gig. After that experience, I knew I wanted to be on stage." He kept dropping out, chasing the passion. "Sometimes I would skip exams for rehearsals. My mom would get very angry."
He tried other courses but never lasted. "I never stood the test of trial. Music kept disturbing me." His mother, a preacher, understood. "She knew if this is my calling, the Bible says it will usher you before great people, before kings. She prayed for me and still prays. I've been doing pretty good."
The Contract That Changed Everything
His biggest break came in 2011 auditioning for A New Song in Joburg. "First audition, they were happy with me. This group exposed me to music business, places I'd never been. I was on a plane for the first time—this thing is real!"
The game-changer? "That was the first time I sat in a boardroom to sign a contract about royalties, needle time. For me, music was: you get paid, you go home. Nothing binds you. But there were royalties, percentages coming to me. I'm like: so I can make money—serious money. I sat with people I'd seen on TV. 'This is the only thing you do?' They said: 'Yeah, and you're a songwriter—you can go very far.'"
What he took forward: "How professional they were about this thing. How they documented everything, put everything in place. We should honor contracts and agreements so relationships work smoothly going forward."
Backing for the Legends
Working as backing vocalist, he met "so many amazing people—talented people. I worked with musicians all day. I learned things applicable in music that we didn't study. I worked with people with PhDs in music. It opened me up so much vocally. It's still difficult to completely let go of being a backing vocalist. I still do it for a few artists because I need to do my stuff too."
A defining moment: "My mom listened to a lot of Semimalita's music. I got to work with Semimalita's son Selomale as backing vocalist. During his recording, his grandfather Bishop Malete came on stage. They did a song together. That moment left me—I'm part of something great."
Toriso: The Gratitude Album
His pastor at Rock of Ages once said: "If there's one thing God cannot do for Himself, it's to praise Himself. As talented and gifted as you are, you're called to do this one thing God cannot do—which is praise Himself."
The 13-track album emerged from survival. "My wife and I were affected by COVID. The person who infected my wife passed on. We heard it and it looked like it was going that direction. When we survived, I started writing songs of gratitude: ke kamo hao. Also asking people: have you heard about Jesus? The man is a wonder. You need to know that man. I was writing from a point of being grateful, full of gratitude for what the Lord has done."
The title track he wrote in 2011 for A New Song, redone here. His most special? "Agieko Fanana—a public domain song we know and love, grew up on. On that day, it came out differently. I listened today—I still feel chills. Whatever happened, it's an experience I want to take for the rest of my life."
What's Next
"Definitely want to perform more. I'm not getting any younger—we have fresh blood coming through, amazing kids who can sing.
