Khayelihle Nkosinathi Mthethwa, widely known as Khaya Mthethwa, is a highly acclaimed South African singer-songwriter, musician, composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist. Born on November 25, 1987, in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Khaya rose to national prominence after winning the 8th season of Idols South Africa in 2012, becoming the first black person to do so. Before his solo career, he was a notable choir member of the revered gospel group Joyous Celebration. He was married to Ntandoyenkosi Kunene from 2017 to 2019. Beyond his music, Mthethwa is also an ordained pastor at Oasis Church, a motivational speaker, and a television host.
Khaya Mthethwa’s music spans several genres, including Gospel, R&B, and Afro Soul, showcasing his versatility as an artist. He is a self-taught musician capable of playing the keyboard, guitar, drums, and percussion. Throughout his career, he has released several successful albums such as For You (2012), The Uprising (2014), The Dawn (2016), and All About Jesus (2018). While he was initially signed to Universal Music Group, his releases are now also widely available across various digital platforms, demonstrating an independent distribution approach for some of his more recent works. He is celebrated for his ability to blend diverse musical influences into a unique and powerful sound, inspiring audiences across Africa and beyond.
