Khaya Mthethwa (born 25 November 1986) is a South African singer-songwriter and musician best known for winning the singing competition Idols, Season 8, in 2012.
Mthethwa is a tenor singer and a member of the gospel group Joyous Celebration. He started hosting the religious music talk show Gospel Alive on Mzansi Magic in 2013. He is also a senior pastor at the Oasis Fellowship Center.
| Khaya Mthethwa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal Details | |
| Name: | Khayelihle Nkosinathi Mthethwa |
| Born: | 25 November 1986 (age 39 years old) |
| Place of birth: | Durban, KwaZulu-Natal |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Parents: | Bhekithemba Mthethwa (father) Lulu Mthethwa (mother) |
| Education: | Project management |
| Alma mater: | Varsity College |
| Occupation: | Singer-songwriter, director, arranger, producer |
| Years active: | 2012-date |
| Label: | Universal Music Group (former) |
| Genre: | Gospel, R&B, Afro Soul |
| Spouse: | Ntandoyenkosi Kunene (m. 2017; div 2019) Sine Mthethwa (m. 2025) |
| Children: | Oyinkosi Mthethewa (son) |
| Siblings: | Mnqobi Mthethwa |
Early Life
Khaya Mthethwa was born on 25 November 1986 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. He grew up in a church environment since his parents, Bhekithemba and Lulu Mthethwa, were pastors. His father was the founder of the Oasis Fellowship Center.
In 1997, at age 10, Mthethwa started as a drummer before joining a school choir as a singer in 1998. He started preaching and worshipping at the age of 16.
Education
Mthethwa attended Highway Christian College in Pinetown. After completing high school, he enrolled in Varsity College to study project management.
Career
While in school, Khaya was the music director of the church choir. He later joined the gospel outfit Joyous Celebration as a singer and musician.
In 2012, he attended the audition for the music show Idols, season 8, and won, making him the first black winner. He defeated the Port Elizabeth singer Melissa Allison in the finale in October 2012.
As a music artist, Khaya is a man of many talents, including drumming, playing keyboard and guitar, composing, and directing music. He is a self-taught percussionist and has shared the stage with seasoned artists.
He has worked with artists such as Mthunzi Namba, Israel USA, Thulani Shezi, Joyous Celebration, and Ntokozo Mbambo. He released his debut single Move and his debut album For You in 2012.
In November 2012, Khaya was announced as the choirmaster for KwaZulu-Natal for the Mzansi Magic reality competition Clash of the Choirs. He won the series with the 20-person choir he mentored.
Before entering the Idols competition, Khaya had already started doing music. He was a backing vocalist on Mthunzi Namba’s album, Mercy, and on Ntokozo Mbambo’s album, Filled, in 2012. He joined Joyous Celebration days before the live recording of Joyous Celebration 15.
In 2013, Khaya became the host of the religious music talk show Gospel Alive on Mzansi Magic. He was also the co-presenter of The SacredSpace on Metro FM. He began hosting the BET gospel show Rhythm and Gospel in May 2017.
Khaya made his first appearance as the host of SABC1’s Sunday morning gospel show Gospel Avenue in June 2025. He owns The Khaya Mthethwa Arts Foundation.
Mthethwa has won several awards, including the 2016 SCGA Best Gospel DVD, the 12th AMFA Best Newcomer award, and SAMA Best Contemporary Faith Music Album. He was a nominee at the 23rd SAMA Live Audio Visual Recording Album in 2017.
He is a senior pastor at Oasis Fellowship Center. His father handed over the reins of the church to him. The church has four locations: Fourways in Johannesburg, Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and Umlazi, Durban.
Personal Life
Khaya Mthethwa is currently married to Sine Mthethwa. He announced his wedding to his new wife in October 2025.
He previously married former Miss South Africa Ntandoyenkosi Kunene in a traditional wedding in Piet Retief in December 2017, but their union was short-lived.
Khaya shares a son, Oyinkosi Mthethewa, with his ex-wife, Ntandoyenkosi Kunene. He has been romantically linked to Nomzamo Mbatha and Jessica Nkosi.
Filmography
- Clash of the Choirs South Africa as Choirmaster
- Code Green as Himself
- Cooking Gospel as Himself
- Gospel Alive as Host
- I Love South Africa as a Contestant
- Idols as Winner
- Minnie Dlamini: Becoming Mrs. Jones as a Musician
- SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards as Host
- The Remix SA as Guest Judge
- Zaziwa as Himself
References
- Kamcilla Pillay. “No place like home for Idols finalist“. IOL.
- Aphiwe Boyce. “‘My top job is to protect my wife’ – Khaya Mthethwa on his marriage to Ntandoyenkosi Kunene“. Drum.
- Lesego Mkhize. “IN PICS: Khaya Mthethwa and Ntando-Kunene Mthethwa welcome baby boy“. Drum.
- Kgalalelo Tlhoaele. “Khaya Mthethwa finds happiness again!“. Daily Sun.
- Joy Mphande. “I cannot believe I came out of that hole: Khaya Mthethwa on the ‘huge awakening’ after his divorce“. TimesLive.
- https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=15199
- Ntombizodwa Makhoba. “Jessica Nkosi is ‘happily single’“. News24.
- “Isibaya actress on love triangle: ‘I’m too busy’“. TimesLive.
- Drum Digital. “Khaya and Nomzamo relationship was platonic“. Drum.
