Ntethelelo (26) is originally from Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape and has been residing in KwaThema for four years.
He was schooled in KwaZulu-Natal and then did a film and television course at Icesa College in Durban.
Ntethelelo was encouraged, by his mother, to join the gospel group at the age of eight.
Because he was the youngest member in the group, his style of singing was influenced by the older members within the group.
“The mature voice made me stand out among my peers and my teachers noticed my singing talent and pushed me towards fulfilling my dream of becoming a gospel artist one day,” says Ntethelelo.
When he was 16 years old, he joined his main church choir which is where he learnt to play a piano as he used to sing at wedding ceremonies, funerals and social gatherings.
He says the first song that he learnt to play on the keyboard player that his mother bought for him was the South African National Anthem.
In 2005 Ntethelelo’s talent impressed Buntu Magada, a known gospel artist who approached him to also be part of the team who will be singing on his forth album.
“It was after working with Magada that I started arranging and composing songs,” says Ntethelelo.
In his music journey, he has shared a stage with well known and award winning gospel artists such as Malibongwe Gcwabe, Veliswa Sikeyi and Lusanda Spiritual Group.
In 2009 Ntethelelo’s big break came after he met music producer, Siyabonga Hlekani who relocated him to Johannesburg for his solo career.
Hlekani helped Ntethelelo record three songs that formed part of his demo CD.
While he was busy preparing to record his own gospel album, Ntethelelo worked with various gospel artists as a producer and at times he worked as a backing vocalist.
For two years, Ntethelelo took time write and compose songs before signing an official partnership with Hlekani in March last year.
His album titled ‘Indumiso Volume one’ was released in October last year.
Catch him on August 2, when he will be launching his new album at the KwaThema Assemblies of God at 2pm.
