There is a Bible verse that talks about an eventuality where those who used to lead will be led and those who were led, lead. That’s basically Dumisani Khanyile’s life. Once a backing singer for some of the most prominent names in the music industry, Khanyile never dreamt of a solo career.
“I have been in the industry for 10 years and most of it I spent working with artists like Sifiso Ncwane, Kholeka, Chicco Twala and Rebecca Malope,” he said.
He came from humble beginnings to the bright lights of Jozi intending to use his singing talent in any way possible, but never imagined he, too, could become a headliner.
“Coming from the rural areas of KZN to work with these great people was a dream come true. They welcomed me warmly and touring with them was amazing. The one thing I did not know at the time was that I could make money from singing and when I did, that was a big deal because I was paid to do what I loved. Before that I was just happy to make music for God,” he said.
“I decided to quit my job as an intern in the Department of Education to pursue music. It was about 2005 and I came to join Coca-Cola Pop Stars, but unfortunately I did not make it. That is the year Jamali and Ghetto Lingo won and the likes of Chicco Twala were on the judging panel,” he added.
Although to many Khanyile had come to the end of his road, this was the start of new things in his career.
“I found myself working with Chicco and Peter Mokoena who were scouting talent on Pop Stars. I was then introduced to Winnie Khumalo and Nokwazi Dlamini whom I also worked with,” he said.
Now a solo artist with the gospel album Ngithwale, Khanyile told how an unlikely incident opened his eyes to what he was meant to do with his life.
“I had a car accident going to a gig in Bloemfontien and the doctors told me that I would never walk again. I decided to look at it as a sign that God was telling me to start my own thing by faith. I sought God, accepted Christ in my life, to get healed and walk again. I did walk again and my album is testimony of that success,” he shared.
Ngithwale is a 13-track offering which is full of inspirational songs that explain what Khanyile went through in his life.
“I started working on the album at the end of last year and it was released in January. Ngithwale means ‘carry me’ and I am thinking that maybe there are people who are going through what am going through too, so basically it’s asking God to carry them. It has both worship and up-tempo songs which are all meant to uplift the spirits the way I needed to be uplifted when I had the accident,” he said.
l Ngithwale is available at music stores.