WeeklySA_AdminENDURING: The celebrated R&B singer and former Muvhango star marks Valentine’s Day with a deeply personal ballad — his first love song in his mother tongue…
By Priscilla Malinga
South African R&B crooner Brian Temba released his first Sesotho love song, Rato Laka, just in time for Valentine’s Day 2026, marking a deeply personal milestone in the celebrated singer’s career.
Released on February 13, Rato Laka — meaning “My Love” in Sesotho — marks a significant milestone in Temba’s career. While he has written and performed countless love songs over the years, this is his first to be recorded in his mother tongue.
For many South Africans, Temba remains forever etched in memory as Ranthomeng, the dignified and soft-spoken Sesotho character on SABC 2’s iconic soap opera Muvhango. Through that role, audiences witnessed not only his acting depth but also the emotional richness of the Sesotho language — something he now channels into music.
“I’ve written countless love songs, but I had never explored love in Sesotho before,” Temba says. “I wanted to understand how love sounds, feels, and breathes in my mother tongue. Singing in Sesotho unlocked something incredibly powerful — it carries emotion differently. Love, in its truest form, is patient, enduring and intentional.”
Written and produced by Temba himself, Rato Laka is a tender, soul-stirring R&B ballad layered with his signature smooth vocals and contemporary production. The track speaks to mature love — the kind that deepens with time, survives drift and distance, and is rooted in commitment. Temba says Valentine’s Day, despite its commercial overtones and complex history, remains meaningful to him.
“I use Valentine’s Day as a remembrance of love between two people,” he says. “It’s a reminder that even if you drift apart, love can be restored.”
February, often referred to as the month of love, is traditionally one of his busiest periods, with increased bookings and performances. While Valentine’s Day itself is usually a working day, Temba says he always makes a point of celebrating his wife and daughter in a special way.
Born and raised in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, Temba’s career spans music, theatre, television and film. He began as a backing vocalist for legendary artists such as Hugh Masekela, Jonathan Butler, and Vicky Vilakazi before joining acclaimed ensembles including Joyous Celebration, Family Factory, and IV U. Internationally, Temba made history as the first South African to play Simba in Disney’s stage production of The Lion King on London’s West End, after earlier performances in Los Angeles and later in Las Vegas.
His work has also extended into film scoring, contributing to productions such as Tears of the Sun and Pride, while also composing award-winning original scores including Losing Lerato. On television, beyond Muvhango, he has appeared in popular local series such as Gomora, and even graced The Jay Leno Show in the United States — underscoring his international reach.
At his core, however, Temba describes himself as a storyteller whose heartbeat is R&B and whose message is love.
“People need to return to loving wholeheartedly,” he says. “My music is my way of preaching love — not as an idea, but as a daily practice.”
Rato Laka is available on all major digital streaming platforms.
