Khaya Mthethwa is a musician, singer-songwriter, composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist best known as The PK (The Pastor's Kid).
He is well known for becoming the first black person to win the eighth season of the television singing competition Idols South Africa. Khaya is also a member of the Joyous Celebration gospel unit, which is well-known in South Africa and throughout Africa. His love for music emanates from his religious upbringing and the guidance he received from his parents, pastors Themba and Lulu Mthethwa.
On his birthday, today, we celebrate an icon in his own right and a force to recon with within the entertainment space. We wish him all the best in the coming year.
Last year, the famous artist resorted to social media to reveal that he had been thrown out of a New York hotel. The gospel musician explained that he was ordered to leave the Times Square hotel after he was discovered roaming around barefoot on the premises.
"Seriously?" he inquired.
The artist, who had been in the United States for approximately a week at the time, had been posting some intriguing photos from his time there. Unfortunately, we're sure he didn't want to share that event, but he had no choice before we found out from someone else.
Following his inquiry on whether Jacob Zuma should have read the late King Zwelithini's eulogy instead of the current president Cyril Ramaphosa, TV presenter and Idols winner Khaya Mthethwa was been accused of being a tribalist. "Would it have been terrible if CR invited JZ to conduct the eulogy?" Mthethwa tweeted on his social media account.
While some people were offended by his question, others thought it was entirely harmless and relevant.
Mthethwa isn't the only ZAleb to be accused of tribalism as an Idols judge; last year, Unathi Nkayi made headlines when she praised then-Xhosa Idols champion, Luyolo, for "carrying the entire nation" on the singing competition due of his tribe.
"On behalf of the Xhosa people, we are tired of holding up the nation," the radio host said on the show. She was then referred to the BCCSA for her "tribalistic sentiments" on the broadcast, but the commission exonerated her after determining that the media personality's words did not promote hatred or damage.
Many hearts were broken after news came out that Khaya and Ntandoyenkosi had parted ways. This was because many had fallen in love with both individuals and felt like they were part of the journey that the two had set out to walk together.
Despite the separation being clouded by unclear circumstances, many hoped that the two would come together and mend their issues.
Mthethwa said that it was a challenging period for him in an interview with Khutso Theledi on her YFM's 'The Lady On Drive Show.' He acknowledged that he had to overcome barriers and stigma.
The musician went on to claim that he attempted a variety of ways to lift himself out of his despair, including substance usage, but he quickly realized that he needed to do better.
Khaya Mthethwa is more than just a singer. The winner of Idols South Africa added 'pastor' to his resume. Khaya returned home and is now a youth pastor at the Oasis Church in Umlazi, Durban, according to the Daily Sun.
He stated in the newspaper: "People who know me know that I've been on this path for the past 18 years. I feel privileged to have been chosen to lead the people. For the past ten years, my father has been grooming me. Everything must happen at this precise moment."
According to reports, the musician is studying theology at the South African Theological Seminary.
