Joburg singer turns traffic lights into a stage and wins hearts of locals
Updated Aug. 12, 2026, 2:59 p.m. | By Poelano Malema Kutlwano Yika has warmed the hearts of many Joburgers with his beautiful voice, which he regularly…
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Updated Aug. 12, 2026, 2:59 p.m. | By Poelano Malema
Kutlwano Yika has warmed the hearts of many Joburgers with his beautiful voice, which he regularly shares at different spots around Jozi.
South Africa, and particularly Johannesburg, is blessed with many talented people who can sing, and as times have changed, aspiring artists are finding innovative ways to ensure that their talent reaches the world.
Instead of waiting to be discovered or signed by a big record label, many upcoming artists are creating their own platforms and using social media to showcase their talent.
One such artist is Kutlwano Yika, a social media personality and upcoming singer who is gaining a growing following online.
Originally from Katlehong, Gauteng, Kutlwano was born in 1998 and has been making a name for himself through his music and street performances around Johannesburg.
The young singer recently shared a video of himself busking on the side of the road when he was approached by a female police officer who asked for his number so she could book him for a gig.
In the video, Kutlwano can be seen leaving his microphone and rushing over to the officer to share his details, seemingly excited about the opportunity to turn his street performance into a paid gig.
The video has since gained more than 61,000 likes on Facebook, with many people in the comments revealing that they have seen Kutlwano performing in different parts of Johannesburg, including Rosebank.
Many also praised the singer for his outstanding voice, with some expressing their appreciation for the way he continues to share his talent with people in the city.
"Bro, you got talent. I always pass by you when I come from work in a taxi. Unfortunately, you can't tell the taxi driver to stop. But Bro keep doing what you're doing. You will certainly find the right ears and eyes."
"Know the guy from our Christmas Party events at work, trust me when I say his voice makes you forget that you must leave when the event is over, true talent there."
"This guy sings so beautifully I always pass him at Rosebank... Ohhh, then I sing along."
"I always see him on Fridays at the Sunninghill robots, brilliant singer."
This is not the only video Kutlwano has shared. He regularly posts clips of himself singing at different locations, and his performances continue to gain traction on social media.
While he is known for performing alongside the city’s busy traffic, Kutlwano's talent reaches far beyond the roadside. He has also performed at various corporate gigs, some of which he has shared with his followers online.
The upcoming singer also has ambitions that extend beyond South Africa. He has expressed a desire to travel to Australia to perform and has been running a crowdfunding initiative to help make the dream a reality.
Rather than waiting for someone to create a platform for him, Kutlwano is creating one for himself - one traffic light, one performance and one social media video at a time.
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