Khaya Mthethwa

Khaya Mthethwa
Background information
Birth name	Khayelihle Nkosinathi Mthethwa
Born	(1987-11-25) 25 November 1987
Origin	Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, RSA
Genres	Gospel, R&B, Afro Soul,
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, Musical director, arranger
Years active	2012–present
Labels	Universal Music Group
Associated acts	Joyous Celebration Israel Houghton

Khaya Mthethwa (born 25 November 1987), Durban, also known as The PK (The Pastors Kid) is a South African singer-songwriter, musician, composer, arranger, and the multi-instrumentalist.^[1] He is best known for winning the Idols South Africa (season 8) and thus becoming the first South African black person to have done so.^[2] He is also known as a choir member of the well-established gospel group in South Africa and the whole of the African continent Joyous Celebration.^[3]

Early years

Born and raised in Durban Kwa-Zulu Natal Khaya Mthethwa grew up in a church environment. His father Bhekithemba Mthethwa is a minister at the Umlazi Oasis Fellowship Centre. After finishing High school Khaya wanted to pursue a career in music but his parents were not keen on the idea and so he went on to study project management at the Varsity college but remained active in a church as a music director of the church choir.

Music career

Khaya Mthethwa first appeared as a backing vocalist singing Tenor for Joyous Celebration Co-Founder Mthunzi Namba's Mercy Album. He was then asked to join Joyous Celebration Two days prior to the Live recording of Joyous Celebration 15 in 2010.^[4] In 2012 Khaya appeared on Ntokozo Mbambo's Filled album also as a Backing vocalist . He then later entered Idols South Africa with the intention of trying out a different genre to enhance his music abilities.^[5] Not only did the idea enhance his music skills but he eventually went on to win the competition.^[6] Khaya Mthethwa is considered to be one of the most talented and versatile artists that South Africa has ever produced, that was proven when he entered another competition named the Clash Of The Choirs that he also won with the Kwa-Zulu Natal choir.^[7][8] Khaya can sing gospel, pop, jazz and R&B, he is a self-taught musician who can play a keyboard, guitar, drums, percussion and he has also established himself as an extraordinary song-writer who has written most of the songs in his debut album titled "For You".

Khaya Mthethwa is a host of Gospel Alive a Gospel TV show that premiered 3 November 2013 on Mutlichoice DSTV's Mzansi magic channel, on which he worked with the versatile content producer, Tebogo Rameetse. In 2015 he was ordained as a pastor and currently preparing for Hs live DVD recording titled "The Uprising".^[9]

Discography

Albums

• For You (Universal Music Group, 2012)
• The Uprising (Universal Music Group, 2014)

References