Get to know The Soil’s Theo Matshoba: “I am living proof that God exists.”
Growing up in any township, one can always recall a choir somewhere in the hood rehearsing for either community competitions or some musical activity that always pops up in the hood. Choirs were always at the center of the community’s makeup, and that is where most singers learned to harness their talents.
And that was exactly Theo Matshoba’s reality. Raised in Dobsonville, Soweto, in a small family with her mother and younger brother, before her cousin joined the fold, Theo shares that she wasn’t really raised in a musical family, “apart from those occasional times when we would have family gatherings, that is, as much singing we would do. But there were no professional singers at home nor did I study music.”
The studying of music happened informally, the kasi way, being exposed to many singing structures in the hood.
Growing up, Theo would join various choirs here and there or go as far as forming her own singing groups with friends as she went about. You know, those groups that existed today and are gone tomorrow?!
In high school, at the Hoër Tegniese Skool Langlaagte, or Langlaagte Tech to some, Theo joined a group that happened to solely focus on singing covers of songs from The Soil.
Little did the budding star know that that pastime activity would lead her to joining that very group years later. A journey ordained by destiny.
“Looking back at how everything unfolded until this very point, I truly believe that I belong on stage. It has always been written in the stars that my journey will unfold in this way. After my psychology degree, I really tried marketing for jobs, or any job at that point, but nothing was happening. A sudden thought came to me that I would never work a single day in an office. Quite random, and it was a very hard thing to accept because also penetrating the music industry was not an easy thing. I was desperate for an income. I needed an income,” she said.
Theo was first introduced to us as a stand-in for Buhlebendalo Mda within the group when she (Buhle) had to undertake a spiritual sabbatical in 2016.
But her ultimate departure from the group, after 7 years of working together professionally, opened up a spot for Theo that she too wasn’t anticipating.
“When The Soil hosted their auditions, I honestly was not anticipating ever making it to any stage. Given also how everything that day seemed not to be in my favor, Firstly, I was not given the location of where the auditions were being held,” adding that the top 10 were announced on SABC 1’s YoTV, followed by DMs to where the audition would happen. But her DM never came.
“I was the only one who didn’t get the address. I had to make inquiries on the day, making calls and scouting social media. I remember I went to the wrong address at first but continued to search high and low until I found the correct location.”
Already walking into that space, Theo shares that she felt defeated, especially seeing all the talented girls that were there.
“They looked the part and I didn’t. I was just an ordinary girl from the hood coming in to try her luck. No makeup, no eyebrows on fleek. Just me and my voice.”
When her name was called out, she explained how that felt like an out-of-body experience. The news took awhile to sink in for her.
Eight years later, Theo has proved to herself that she belongs right where she is. Although naysayers will always be around.
“The pressure was there, and the pressure is still here, and I believe it will always be there because people don’t deal with change the same way. To this day, with the much work that we have put into announcing this new phase of The Soil through videos or media runs on different mediums, there are still those who will still say, ‘Who is that girl?’, or ask questions like, ‘Where is Buhle?’. It is unfortunate that I will always have to prove myself with every note that I sing or every stage that I perform on. But also, I am embracing that pressure because I believe it will force me to grow as a musician and elevate daily.”
But naysayers don’t deter the work that the muso has yet to unfold with the award-winning group.
“Music has really changed my life drastically. Transitioning from being just an ordinary person to being known is one of the greatest life flips that anyone can ever experience. I’ve had to understand that people are going to be in my space, and I have to be accommodating to that fact.
“I’ve worked really hard because some of the things I am able to do with my voice now, were things I was unable to do back then. Had I not won that competition, I would have never been exposed to music the way that I am now, which has certainly elevated my appreciation of the craft,” she said.
Upon Buhle Mda’s return from her sabbatical, the seasoned singer took Theo under her wing and further mentored her to be the singer that she is today.
“I have met the most amazing people, I have been on the most beautiful stages, and I have learned so much about my capabilities and my ranges.”
Looking back over her journey, with what blockages and delays—Theo says that she is living proof of God’s existence and what He can do in one’s life.
“I think I have even run out of tears, although at times I am caught in moments of disbelief at how far I have come,” she said, holding back tears. “I went from being unemployed and broke (AF) to where I am right now. Like, who does that besides God?! God has really shown up and shown off through me.”
Growing up, Theo describes herself as a happy and active child who was always up and about playing on the streets. When she discovered her voice, she always wanted to sing for everyone.
“When I am not singing, I sleep. If I’m not sleeping, I am Netflixing, which will lead to sleep,” she said, laughing.