MPHO SEBINA: ENJOYING HER JOURNEY

The Botswana-born, Johannesburg-based singer-songwriter talks about love, digital collabs and facing her doubts, with writer Bakang Akoontayse.

Day Dream (Credit: Winsome Khalid)

Pop culture and Disney movies will have us believe that magic spells consist of an incantation, intention and a pot to merge elements in. By that view, Mpho Sebina is surely a magician, with music as her tool of choice. 

Armed with her handwritten incantations in the form of lyrics and with the intention to explore and elevate the importance and power of love, Sebina has birthed a career as a musician. So far, she’s made her way from private Self Care playlists (of the likes of Bonang Matheba, please understand) to speaking panels, a Goethe Artist Residency, and the latest Major League project and placement on Netflix’s ground breaking Blood & Water soundtrack. 

The sky is not the limit for her, not by a long shot. We recently spoke about her growth, the tangible power of love, and her upcoming project that’s set to encourage you to dream. 



Love is a theme often explored in your work and I think it’s a colossal and transformative force – in all its forms. What would you say is the most notable change you’ve allowed love to guide you through? 

My musical journey has really forced me to dig deep within myself. I wasn’t always met with great and positive experiences on my personal journey. There are past hurts and traumas that I have to face and deal with  and love is my savior in times when I feel unworthy on my path . Love has helped me be confident in myself and persevere in the tumultuous scene that is the music industry. I need love to surround me always because that’s where I choose to operate from. In Loving myself first – and this is in adorning myself, feeding myself the right things, taking care of my vessel, resting , loving others , taking care of my mind and telling myself loving things – I can then be a better human and artist .

Song writing and making music are a form of communication and by extension, an assertion of your own presence, desires, influences and existence. How important has this expression through your craft been for how you communicate overall, especially as a Black woman in a society where we seem to be generally spoken over the most?

Expressing myself through my art is literally saving me because I was raised in a space where expressing myself and communicating my feelings was not encouraged or received well. Music and art give me the freedom to express myself and purge my emotions safely. 

What three qualities or traits have you employed that you feel it might do others good to nurture as well, on the path to self-actualization?

Firstly, is to love and be kind to yourself. Secondly stay true to who you are and lastly, enjooooooy the journey.

It’s generally been a harrowing year, and your craft, dare I say brand, is a portal to a gentleness that’s a stark contrast to it. The work you put out soothes – from the music to the visuals – and even your social media captions. I’m certain you’re experiencing the same angst the rest of the world is somewhat, so there’s an alchemy that has to occur within you, to shift what comes into what comes out. What are the things that have been saving your joy and replenishing your cup this year?

Love from friends and family, cuddles, rum, RuPaul’s Drag Race, wine, prayer, meditation, orgasms, creating music, exercise, solitude…


Mpho Sebina – Pula [YouTube]

You’ve recently been featured on Major League DJ’s latest offering with DiNaledi and before that, your song Loves Light was featured on Netflix’s Blood & Water soundtrack. Can we get into how both collaborations came about? 

The Blood & Water music compilation team reached out to me regarding using some of the music and I was more than delighted to do so. It was an opportunity for me to reach the global Netflix audience. They gave Loves Light an incredible scene I’m more than elated to be part of. 

Major League reached out to me on Twitter last year I believe, expressing interest in a collaboration. During the first nationwide lockdown I was in Johannesburg and I reached out to them and they sent me Dinaledi! I fell in love with the instrumental and a love song about the stars came out .

Regarding your 2017 release, Loves Light specifically, that song’s growth and reach introduced you to people here in Botswana, and now it’s doing the same, but further. What did Mpho want then, how has she grown since and what does she want now? 

I was so young and insecure and unsure of what I wanted at that time in my life, all I knew was that I wanted to create and to be loved and accepted.  I’ve grown a lot since then, and even though I still battle with my insecurities and doubt daily, now I know what I want and it’s clearer – to create more, fall deeper in love with myself, surround myself with love and dominate the globe with music .


Gold by Bornaking Photography

You were a part of this year’s first ever digital Goethe Artist Residency, working on a collaboration with S. Fidelity. How was that experience, and what’ll be your takeaway from it? 

It was truly interesting collaborating with S. Fidelity digitally but a great experience overall. We ended up creating a beautiful song, one of my personal faves, and I ventured into new territory in terms of visuals. 

What are you working on now and where are we going next for us Mpho Sebina fans allowed on this journey of life with you?

I’m working on lots of music but I’m also itching to explore my other creative muscles: fashion, food and film. I have completed a music project called “Lora” (Translates to “Dream”). As for when she’ll come out, I’ll keep you posted.  


Orange by Chris Kebakile

You can also listen to Mpho in conversation with Tuduetso Tebape, Founder of Nubian Seed natural beauty company on Banana Phone by Tanlume Enyatseng here.