KHAYA MTHETHWA

Khaya Mthethwa (born 25 November 1987), Umlazi, 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 8th season of TV singing competition Idols South Africa, the first black person to have done so.[2] He is also known as a choir member of the gospel group Joyous Celebration, popular both in South Africa across Africa.[3]

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.

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, again as a backing vocalist. In 2012, he entered Idols South Africa with the intention of trying out a different genre to enhance his music abilities.[5] He went on to win the competition.[6] In 2013, he participated in another TV competition, The Clash Of The Choirs, this time as part of the Kwa-Zulu Natal choir; the group won.[7][8] Khaya can sing gospel, pop, jazz and R&B, and he is a self-taught musician who can play a keyboard, guitar, drums and percussion. He is also a songwriter, and wrote most of the songs in his debut album, 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 content producer Tebogo Rameetse. In 2015 he was ordained as a pastor. In 2014 he released a live DVD recording titled The Uprising.[9]