Mtholisi

BIO

Mtholisi, also known as uMkhaya Wohlabelo and Mfoka Mphill, is a young South African Maskandi musician and songwriter from Cape Town, Western Cape. Born on 11 December 2012, his real name is Kungawo Othandwayo Prince Manjo. He is known for his growing involvement in Maskandi music and for a vocal style influenced by some of the genre's established contemporary artists.

Mtholisi was born in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa, where he is currently based. His family roots are in Lady Frere, KwaNdonga, particularly in the village of KuloMaqhubela. He developed an interest in music at a young age and later became increasingly drawn to Maskandi, particularly its guitar-led sound, vocal traditions, storytelling, and connection to Zulu culture. His early exposure to different South African musical styles eventually led him to identify Maskandi as the main direction of his artistry.

Mtholisi began exploring music through different sounds before establishing Maskandi as his primary genre. His early musical work included styles outside traditional Maskandi, allowing him to experiment with his voice and develop his understanding of songwriting and recording. His music later became more focused on Maskandi, while still incorporating occasional elements of Afro-pop and contemporary South African music. Mtholisi has also developed an interest in the broader production side of music, working with digital music-production tools and exploring recording, vocal arrangement, songwriting, and other aspects of creating music.

Mtholisi released his early EP Ezonkathi, a project that represents an earlier period of his musical development. Most of the material on the EP explores sounds outside Maskandi, reflecting the different musical styles he experimented with before making Maskandi his main focus. The project includes “Ushaya Abafana,” one of his Maskandi-oriented songs. Other works associated with Mtholisi include “Uzofa (Remix),” “Utsotsi (Cover),” and “Asenzele Bona (Remix). Through these releases and collaborations, he has continued developing his experience as a vocalist and recording artist.

Mtholisi's musical influences include Mgqumeni, Mjolisi, Mnotho Majola, and Mjikjelwa, among other South African artists. He has particularly drawn inspiration from the vocal approaches of Mjolisi and Mnotho Majola, whose styles have influenced his own development as a young Maskandi vocalist. Their influence can be recognised in his interest in expressive vocals and modern Maskandi, while Mtholisi continues to develop his own sound.

Mtholisi is currently a learner at Siphamandla Senior Secondary School in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, where he is known as one of the young talented stars of Siphamandla Senior Secondary School. He has an interest in the school's artistic environment and is among the young learners involved in music and arts-related activities. Before attending Siphamandla Senior Secondary School, he studied at Eluxolweni Public Primary School in Khayelitsha. He continues to balance his education with his involvement in music, developing as a student while pursuing his interests as a recording artist.

Outside music, Mtholisi has an ambition to pursue engineering and further his education in the field. At the same time, he intends to continue developing his career in music, with Maskandi remaining at the centre of his artistic direction. As a young artist from Cape Town with family roots in KwaNdonga, Mtholisi's musical journey combines his urban upbringing with an interest in traditional South African music. His continued work in Maskandi, together with his exploration of other contemporary sounds, forms the foundation of his developing career.