Felix Garcao do Rosario Serafim Bernardo Baloi, better known by his nickname "Gito", was born in Matola, Mozambique. He grew up on his family's farm, near Maputo, with his mother, father, and siblings. He was the oldest son. Gito was a musical child; he taught himself how to play music, building his own instruments out of discarded paraffin tins, oil drums and reeds. His early influences included Jaco Pastorius and Bob Marley. At 14, he borrowed a bass guitar and performed for the villagers to help support his family. As a teenager, Gito left home to avoid being forced to fight in the civil war. On foot, he headed for South Africa with a few friends.