Dj LATTY Leap oF Faith

Moving to a new country in pursuit of better opportunities is a bold and often daunting step, but for Leatile ‘LATTY’ Motlhalamme, it has proven to be a transformative journey marked by growth and resilience. “Brave is moving to another country with a suitcase and a plan, visas, contracts, a new landlord, a new bank, figuring out a city where nobody knows your name, learning new systems, carrying a bed up a staircase, and still waking up hungry for more. Anyone who does that is unshakeable,” said Motlhalamme, reflecting on his relocation to South Africa in search of greener pastures in the entertainment industry.

Hailing from Gabane, Motlhalamme is steadily cementing his place in South Africa’s competitive music scene. His passion for showbiz began in childhood, when he dreamt of performing on children’s programmes such as Mantlwaneng and competing in talent shows. However, like many Batswana households, his ambitions were initially discouraged by his family, particularly his grandmother who raised him.

“Music makes me happy, and as an emotional child, it helped me through difficult times. I cannot doubt my love for the art,” he said. A graduate of YDJ Academy, Motlhalamme has always been drawn to emotional and spiritual sounds, naturally gravitating towards afro house and afrotech.

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His dedication paid off in 2025 when he won a YAMA Best Amapiano Song award for a collaboration with Thato Tladi and Dalom Kids. He encouraged the entertainment sector in Botswana to embrace alliances and partnerships as a way to strengthen, grow and sustain the industry. He urged stakeholders to move away from the perception that collaboration diminishes individual success, emphasising instead that joint efforts often produce greater and more impactful outcomes.

Amapiano is often associated with spirituality, he describes himself as a believer whose spiritual journey is still evolving. A believer in God word, Motlhalamme still upholds principles and foundations of christianity. ‘I have always had an inquisitive mind and I am still trying to understand a lot of things which would otherwise not make sense, but I believe in God and strongly believe that things do not just come by chance.’ Relocating to South Africa came with its own challenges, forcing him to confront his fears and grow both personally and spiritually.

“I was alone in a foreign country. It pushed me closer to God. I went through a period of sobriety, letting go of anything that could slow me down.

It was just me and God, facing my emotions head-on,” he shared. Although the move had long been part of his vision, he admitted to previously postponing it. In January 2025, he finally took the leap, boarding a bus to Johannesburg to chase his dreams.

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