Originally from the Kalanga tribe in Zimbabwe, Masetla was a name of a warrior from a royal tribe in Phalaborwa and he was also a younger brother to king Makikele Malatji. After the death of his brother, Masetla decided to leave and some people left with him as they felt safe under him. They moved to Tzaneen at Kasteel Farm near Merensky. Him and his people stayed there in a Mountain called Tshaba Ya Bolepje until the Apartheid government took their place, as it was good for touristic business. From here the name dispersed all over the country. Some moved to the Bolobedu area, Dikgale, Sekgosese, Gauteng and other parts of South Africa.

Masetla people are known as Tlou tΕ‘a Bolepje, Phepele tΕ‘a go tΕ‘wa Bokgalaka.