‘The Capacity of Cap City’, A 2010 Documentary on PTA Hip-Hop, Is A Hidden Gem

Pretoria’s Hip-Hop scene has been running shit for a while in the last few years. Rappers like A-Reece, Jay Jody, 25K, Thato Saul, Tyson Sybateli, Wordz, Buzzi Lee and many others, who hail from PTA, are all at the forefront of SA Hip-Hop. 

But in the early to mid-2010s, there was no telling PTA would have the game in a chokehold the way it is today. Yes A-Reece, B3nchMarQ and Cap City Records were doing their thing, but Joburg was having a serious moment. 

Years later South African Hip-Hop is largely run by PTA. 

A 2010 documentary titled ‘The Capacity of Cap City’ looked at PTA’s 2000s era which was covered regularly on HYPE Magazine in its print days. 

At the time of its releasse, the documentary felt like an epilogue to a scene that once was and the subjects were unpacking what went wrong and how it could possible make a comeback. 

“This film explores the rise, demise and resurgence of the Hip-Hop movement in the city of Pretoria (PTA), South Africa,” reads the opening text on the doccie which was directed and produced by filmmaker Sarah Chitambo. 

‘The Capacity of Cap City’ shows that the foundation for PTA Hip-Hop is solid. Before there was MashBeatz, there was Nyambz who was responsible in the shaping of the PTA sounds back then. 

There are many similarities and differences between the old and new school PTA scene, but one thing that has always prevailed in PTA Hip-Hop is unity. 

The documentary highlights some of the key figures responsible for creating the PTA scene, from Mizi Mtshali, Nombongo, Blaklez, N’Veigh, Fifi, Thir[13]teen, Damola, Flex Boogie, Ras, Boy Wonder, Trompie and a whole lot more. 

‘The Capacity of Cap City, Pt. 2’ is long overdue. 

Watch ‘The Capacity of Cap City’ documentary above.