Limpopo artist Katlego “Shebeshxt” Chauke has ended the year on a high note after his hit single Rato Laka was crowned Thobela FM’s Song of the Year 2025.
The announcement was made shortly before midnight on New Year’s Eve, with the station revealing the winning track during its final countdown of the year. The song, which features Zee Nxumalo, Naqua SA, and Slidoo Man, dominated airwaves throughout the year and gained massive support from listeners across the province.
Thobela FM confirmed the win in a celebratory message, saying the station was closing the year “in love and joy” with Rato Laka as its final song of 2025. The announcement sparked excitement online, with fans flooding social media with congratulatory messages. One user, known as THEGENUINET, wrote that the track’s victory was well deserved and praised the artist for his impact on the local music scene.
However, the announcement also reopened debate around the artist’s current legal troubles. Some social media users questioned whether an artist facing serious criminal charges should be celebrated in this way. One comment that gained traction read: “A man facing charges of attempted murder, robbery and firearm offences wins Song of the Year?”
Shebeshxt has been in custody since November 2025, following his arrest in connection with a road rage incident in Ladanna, Polokwane. He faces nine charges, including three counts of attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, malicious damage to property, and unlawful possession of a firearm. All the charges fall under Schedule 6, the most serious category in South African law.
His ongoing legal battle has already had financial consequences, with several booked performances cancelled. Promoters have indicated that the cancellations have resulted in losses amounting to millions of rand.
Despite the controversy, Rato Laka continues to enjoy strong public support, earning its place as Limpopo’s most celebrated song of the year. As the legal process unfolds, the award highlights the complicated intersection between artistic success and personal accountability, with Shebeshxt’s music thriving even as his future remains uncertain.