Nontokozo Mkhize, a name that is quickly becoming synonymous with passion and gospel excellence. The 25-year-old singer, songwriter, and performer from Inanda Newtown A, KwaZulu-Natal, has captivated audiences with her soothing voice, proving that dedication and faith can pave the way to greatness.
Nontokozo’s story begins long before the viral hits and chart-topping success. She didn’t study music in a formal institution, but instead, she honed her craft in the best way possible—through real-life experience as a backing vocalist. Working with some of the country’s most celebrated artists, she built a name for herself behind the scenes, supporting legends like Pastor Benjamin Dube, Mondli Ngcobo, Sneziey, Ntokozo Ngongoma, Unathi Mzekeli, and many others.
While the experience was invaluable, the journey wasn’t without struggles. One of the biggest challenges she faced as a session vocalist was the lack of financial security—late payments, broken promises, or, at times, not being paid at all. But through these hardships, Nontokozo remained steadfast, using every opportunity to learn, connect, and refine her artistry.
Her defining moment came when she was featured on Sjava’s song Thixo. This collaboration introduced her to a much wider audience, sparking curiosity about the powerhouse vocalist behind the song. From there, she continued to grow, gaining confidence in her voice and artistic identity.
Then came Esandleni—the song that changed everything. Inspired by her deep faith and gratitude, Nontokozo penned the heartfelt track as a musical prayer, reflecting on God’s presence in her life. She wove elements of the beloved hymn Esandleni Somusa into the song, giving it a nostalgic yet fresh gospel feel. What she didn’t expect, however, was the overwhelming response.
Social media embraced Esandleni in a way that left her in awe. The song went viral, with countless TikTok videos and reels featuring her music. Fans resonated with the message, and soon, her name became one to watch in the gospel scene.
Though she has worked with artists across different genres, Nontokozo has now firmly established herself as a gospel artist. While she remains open to collaborating with musicians from other spaces, her lyrics will now always reflect her faith. “I am now a gospel artist,” she states with conviction, emphasizing that her message will always be rooted in the gospel, no matter who she works with.
Currently, she is working with renowned producer Mörda on a project, hoping that their song will make it onto his upcoming project . As she moves forward, she is excited about what the future holds but remains deeply grateful for where she has come from.
If there’s one thing Nontokozo wants to express, it’s gratitude. She still finds it surreal that thousands of people are listening to her music, streaming her songs, and using them in their personal moments of worship and reflection. “I’m honestly shocked by the response. I see the numbers climbing, I see the love on social media, and I can’t believe there are real people out there who are actually listening to my music,” she shares.
She extends a heartfelt thank you to every person who has supported her from the beginning—those who patiently watched her navigate her journey from doing secular collaborations to fully stepping into her gospel calling. She particularly acknowledges the power of social media in amplifying her music and helping her reach audiences she never imagined possible.
Looking ahead, Nontokozo dreams of bringing her music to life on stage. She hopes to host a live show, starting in Durban, where she can perform songs from her newly released album titled Lindiwe, a tribute to her late mom. She is especially eager to perform track one, which fans have repeatedly said is “too short” and deserving of a live rendition.
Beyond that, she is focused on creating more music, deepening her connection with her audience, and continuing to grow in her artistry.
From an overlooked backing vocalist to a celebrated gospel artist. As Nontokozo continues to rise, one thing is clear—her voice is here to stay, and the world is listening.
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