The Bushbuckridge creative community is mourning the passing of Ronald “Kapture Beats” Malele, a respected hip-hop producer whose quiet influence helped shape the careers of several emerging artists from the region.
Born and raised in Ga Relane, Bushbuckridge, Kapture later moved to Johannesburg for tertiary studies and went on to work at an IT company. Despite building a life in the city, he always returned home during holidays and remained closely connected to his community. According to his longtime friend and collaborator, Macdonald Hlompho Lekhuleni, known as Masta H, Kapture was “a very humble person, always smiling and grounded, no matter how far his talents took him.”
Friends and colleagues described him as a man with a great personality who treated everyone with respect, regardless of their background. Though blessed with talent, he remained humble and avoided the spotlight, preferring to work quietly behind the scenes while uplifting others.
Among his most meaningful achievements was his work on the Mapulaneng Vol. 2 Mixtape by Masta H, which he considered a turning point in his career. “He said that after producing that project, it elevated him. That’s when people started recognising him. It introduced him to a broader audience, especially since he was considered an underground producer,” recalls Masta H. Another significant project was his musical poetry collaboration with Gakwi Mashego, which showcased his ability to merge spoken word with music.
Kapture also served as a mentor to many aspiring artists. “Even myself, I was an upcoming artist when I met him,” says Masta H. He guided artists such as KAYCEEZO, now known as KAMO, and Refrieca, who has since risen to prominence as a South African DJ and dancer. One of his proudest moments, according to his friend, was seeing artists he worked with appear on television and acknowledge him publicly while he was still alive.
Plans are under way to honour his life and legacy, including a community show with Shogun C Well and the release of unreleased songs he produced.
Reflecting on his legacy, Masta H said: “I hope the community of Ga Relane and Bushbuckridge as a whole will remember him as a producer who contributed enormously to Bushbuckridge music. Sometimes producers are the unsung heroes. We artists grab all the attention and forget how hard our producers work behind the scenes to make us shine. He will forever be remembered. He played a huge role — may his soul rest in peace.”
Bushbuckridge News extends its heartfelt condolences to the Malele family, friends, and all artists who walked this journey with him.
Follow the Langa Media channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbC56iB65yD8LE6YHJ3P
