The King And His Princess

Arthur Mafokate is surrounded by daughters in his palatial home – and the king of kwaito says he wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

- Ruwaydah Harris

THE mansion rises from manicured lawns; its turrets and stone walls make it look more like a castle than a family home.

A gleaming black Mercedes-Benz and a sleek black passenger van– both new – occupy the double garage while the pool at the back of the house, surrounded by classy recliners and umbrellas, is something a boutique hotel would be proud of.

But look around and it’s clear this is a house where kids live. A family of rabbits have their own home in the garden of the sprawling property in Crowthorne, Midrand, and practically every room in the seven-bedroom dwelling is filled with toys.

They belong to Onalenna, the four-year-old daughter of kwaito king Arthur Mafokate. He’s shielded the little girl from the public until now, and today she’s joining big sisters Owami (15) and Kelello (12) and their dad in front of the camera.

“It’s not like I kept her a secret,” Arthur says. “I would’ve kept all my children away from the spotlight if I could, but there was just no chance with Owami because her mother [Queen “Iyaya” Sesoko] was famous and we couldn’t hide the fact we were expecting a child.

“When Kelello arrived it was obvious people should know Owami, who had been an only child for a while, had a little sister. And now it’s Ona’s time.

“I’m raising girls and they require a lot of love. And because I’m raising girls, I see the woman I’m with as someone else’s daughter. I would not like someone else to hurt any of my daughters.”

Arthur made headlines recently when one of his artists, Cici (real name Busisiwe Thwala), whom he’d been dating for a while, laid a charge of assault against him.