Bontle Smith’s career journey is a testament to the magic that unfolds when you take a chance on yourself, trust your instincts and step boldly into your calling. This same fearlessness led her to the spotlight on MTV’s Inside Life—City Girls Are Up, where she reintroduced herself to fans, offering a deeper glimpse into her world beyond the polished image we’ve come to know.
“I never really imagined myself as a reality TV star, simply because I’m such a private person. But when I realised how perfectly the platform fit into this new phase of my life, I knew I had to take the chance,” she said. “The entire experience was organic and fun, and I found myself growing closer to the ladies.”
Born in Thembisa and raised by a strict mother, Bontle’s love for music and the arts was always present, but it wasn’t something her mother envisioned for her.
“She didn’t even want me to enroll in the NSA because she wanted me to follow the conventional path of studying for a stable job,” Bontle shared.
But even as she walked down that chosen path, she couldn’t ignore the feeling of unfulfillment.
“Before and even during my schooling, I was always the girl on stage, performing in plays or something creative,” she said.
If you trace it back to her upbringing, playing Jam Alley with her friends, music always seemed to be her destiny. Much like the unbreakable bond between a mother and child, music has been an inseparable part of Bontle’s life from the very start.
“My mother once told me a story of how my father would play music for her when she was pregnant with me, just to help her sleep,” Bontle explained. “In a way, music was already nurturing me before I was even born.”
This deep, rooted connection, like an invisible umbilical cord, continues to shape her today, flowing through every part of her being. From those early moments, where the rhythm of life was set to her father’s music, to the stages she now graces, music is more than just a career for Bontle—it’s her lifeline, her language and her calling.
“Interestingly, I also had to have the radio on to fall asleep, which I now realise was another way of staying connected to the music that became my world,” she said, reflecting on how these early experiences shaped her.
So, sitting through her 9-5 job felt like endless torture. The star holds a BCom in Accounting Science, resonating with her second name, Mabotlhale, meaning “smart lady,” as a graduate.
“The moment I decided to resign from my 9-5, I had already been working with DJ Maphorisa for about two years,” she said, recalling how their paths crossed in 2018 at Pop Bottles.
She remembers how Maphorisa made her audition at his studio two days after they met and offered to work with her on the spot.
“During those two years, Maphorisa kept advicing me to resign, telling me everything would be alright because juggling both became too much to handle. The fatigue was setting in—waking up at 5 am from studio sessions to rush to work was grueling,” she said.
“When I finally resigned, management said they had been expecting it,” she said, laughing. “They could see how passionate I was about music; I was even missing work more and more, and my focus was fading.”
And she’s never looked back.
“I’ve definitely grown and matured into my own, hence I believe that this era is like a reintroduction to Bontle Smith. Even my music attests to the growth. At first, my songs were more about straata (the streets), but lately, I’ve been tapping into the more melodic, singing side of my gift—music that can really resonate with the listener. That’s the direction I’m going in now,” she shared.
“I’m working on new music, but I’m still deciding whether it’ll be in an EP format or just singles. There’s so much music waiting to be released. January and February have been filled with studio sessions,” she said, hinting that her birthday, April 1, is earmarked as a potential release date.
Bontle is also deeply spiritual, and prayer plays a huge role in her life.
“I believe prayer has kept me going without falling apart or slipping into depression, because this career is tough. My faith has kept me strong. That’s why when I say I’ll do something, I do it,” she said.
Beyond music, Bontle has a passion for learning, especially in the field of management. While she doesn’t see herself on stage forever, she envisions expanding her career in the different spheres of the arts.
“I’m not saying I’ll be hanging up my mic just yet—there’s so much left to achieve. I still see myself performing on big stages, but my ultimate goal is to start my own management company. I want to use my experiences to help upcoming artists do better and avoid the mistakes I made.”
Through every challenge, Bontle Smith has remained unwavering in her belief in herself, proving that resilience and faith can turn dreams into reality. With a clear vision, a heart full of passion and an undeniable talent, she continues to rise, shaping a future that looks brighter than ever. Her journey is far from over—if anything, it’s only just beginning.