Today we’d like to introduce you to Kamohelo Mapupa.
Hi Kamohelo , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Kamohelo Tshabello Maphopha, as cliche as this is about to sound… it all started with a dream and actualized by Faith. From the dusty streets of Daveyton and Katlehong which are both townships in the East of Johannesburg, South Africa to L.A.
The truth is most people from where I come from don’t get opportunities like these. Not because we’re not skilled enough or talented but simply because of what we’re exposed to and the circumstances we’ve succumbed to.
When life is more about surviving, it becomes difficult to live.
When you’re more concerned about what you’re going to eat it becomes very difficult to feed your dreams.
And I simply hated that. I’ve been called the black sheep because I disagreed with a lot of things, systematic or even imaginative. I refused to conform to the patternS of my environment. I refused to believe that poverty was my portion and little did I know… but that was the birth of DNGO.
“Dreams Never Get Old”
That was the fire starting, a brand that I was going to use to turn my dreams into a reality hoping that it motivates and inspires others to do so too. A brand that is a living testament of following your dreams despite your circumstances or situation.
From customizing clothes using acrylic paint because I lacked capital to get merch, to winning multiple creative competitions using only an iPhone 8 I managed to save up for in high school, to starting my professional career as a photographer and Videographer from the prizes won, to being the first to graduate in my immediate family, to officially having my first DNGO clothing line and album drop earlier this year, to raising funds for financially excluded students in SA and getting multiple radio and tv interviews…
I think it’s easy to say, God’s Grace has truly been sufficient.
And it’s in this journey when I realized that I couldn’t have done this by myself, I can’t be doing this by myself.
When I started my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve had to file for bankruptcy and redo my business card 3 times.
In 2022 and 2023, the height of my career as a celebrity and influencer photographer and Videographer I found myself burnt out, depressed and had my first panic attack.
How if I was doing great?
I realized that the Dreams Never Get Old when you’re spoNsored by GOD. because if it wasn’t for Him, the community I have in Christ and my family and friends, all my desires and dreams would be in vain.
I would be trying to heal the parts of my life where I grew up in lack and seeing my family suffer instead of enjoying the joys and blessings of Life with my family. I’d be pursuing accolades and not reflecting upon the reality that I’ve already made it and I’m wealthy.
I’d lose sight of my Purpose. And what is that?
To Speak Life.
And what is life Kamo?
To me it’s who is Life and that’s Jesus Christ. – John 14:6
He’s the author of True Love, Peace, Joy, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control.
He’s the reason I am the man I am right now because quiet frankly, I wasn’t supposed to make it past 21 years old.
Why do I do what I do?
Because I’m living proof of God’s existence. I’m called to bear witness through my creations, businesses and ministries.
I’m called to set the captive free and be a beacon of light in all I do.
How?
1. spoNsored by GOD. Foundation:
With this Foundation, it is a NPO that focuses on funding financial exculded students as well as upskill and fund businesses from disadvantaged areas. Giving back to my community essentially.
2. Creatives spoNsored by GOD:
This is a worldwide Creative hub and community for all Creatives in Christ to use their God-given gifts and talents to not only serve in the Advancement of God’s Kingdom but to earn a sustainable living from their God-given gifts and talents. We aim to make impact in the marketplace through Kingdom Excellence.
3. DNGO:
I am the CEO & Founder of the Conglomerate that consists of
– DNGO Visuals (Production company)
– DNGO Studios (The clothing)
– DNGO Records (Record Label)
4. Und3feated:
I make Christian rap music under the alias Und3feated as a medium to testify and share my life story and journey with those who don’t know me and want to understand why I do what I do.
In conclusion,
I’m just an ordinary kid with extraordinary dreams, now God is using me to do extraordinary things.
I’m truly spoNsored by GOD.(the N and G.O.D are capital and when you reshuffle the letters it spells DNGO)
And this is my story.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all.
1. I grew up in a township so already I had to work 3x harder to get the same opportunities with someone in a higher class or in the city.
2. The environment I grew up in didn’t support dreaming outside of the box because there weren’t much positive role models around us growing up. Thank God for my Mom.
3. Finances: Yeah this has been the biggest struggle. Funding everything while trying to make sure that my family is also eating. It’s an ongoing challenge but I have overcome it in Jesus’ name!
It’s easier to follow your dreams when you know the only responsibility you have is yourself… like I don’t mind grinding and not sleeping or not eating for a few days or going to a different country and backpacking my way to success but it becomes different when you can’t afford to do that because there’s an entire family looking, hoping and praying that you could help. When getting a job(9-5) to provide seems like the only way.
I’m soooo grateful for my family for sticking this one out with me.
I’m sooo grateful to God for carrying us and providing when I couldn’t.
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to chase my dreams. That’s why I can’t fail, that’s why I won’t!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I like saying I’m a Creative spoNsored by GOD. by creation and a Creative Marketer by profession.
Primarily I run a company called DNGO. It has 3 offerings:
1. DNGO Visuals which I’m mostly known for because of my services as a media production company based both in Johannesburg and now Cape Town South Africa as well… soon LA as well!
We specialize in creating campaign driven social media content for brands, restaurants and businesses as well as individuals.
We shoot Ad’s and TVC’s as well.
2. DNGO Studios: This is the clothing brand which I’m also mostly known for because 9/10 I’m rocking the merch.
3. Content creation and music: I’d say other than my business… I’m know for creating captivating content on Instagram as well as shooting and producing my short films and film inspired reels. I JUST REALLY LOVEEE CREATING!!! I also ventured into making music this year and I’m enjoying that! I have an album called There’s Another In The Fire on all DSP’s under the name Und3feated, you should check it out, lol!
I post most of my short films and content on YouTube as well under Undefeated Boy.
And all the Faith based content is also found under Creatives spoNsored by GOD. on youtube.
What am I most proud of?
An achievement I’m very proud of is having Directed, written and shot a content series for one of the biggest telecommunications companies in Africa MTN. That has been a full circle moment for me and my team.
From winning my first camera from a competition MTN was running… to them being a client and entrusting me with a whole production! GOD!!!
What sets me apart from others?
My boldness about my Faith.
I’ve lost a lot of opportunities for it but I will NEVER be ashamed of it! That is my true Pride and Joy! Who am I outside of who my creator created me to be!? Jesus is really the love of my life, lol… God is really the director of every film I shoot and everything I do.
He literally taught me everything I know and gave me life, purpose and JOY, that’s why I can’t be timid nor quiet about it.
I posess ALL the Fruit of the Spirit -Galatians 5:22-23.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t believe in luck, I call it God’s Grace.
And it’s the bases of my entire life and business.
Pricing:
- DNGO T-shirts = $30 each
- DNGO Cap = $20 each
- DNGO Hoodie = $50 each
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dngovisuals.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/undefeated.boy
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamohelo-mapupa-b89080208
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@undefeated-sponsoredbygod
Image Credits
Kertis Mpila (Featured Photo)
The ones with a red DNGO T-shirt please credit Kemorapetse Rammusi.
The one with 3 models sitting with DNGO merch please credit Hlobisile Dubazana
The one with a blue barret and formal outfit with tie please credit Vumisipho Mondi
The one where I’m standing with a client handing over t-shirt please credit Louise Darko
