Lindelani Mkhize On The Shift

Mkhize has come a long way since his days as a drummer in the church in his hometown of Umlazi in Durban. He studied music at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. His first professional job was on the production of Wagner Lohengrin at the Durban Playhouse. He moved to Johannesburg where he was headhunted by Sony Music International to start and run their new office in South Africa, his mandate was to establish and develop African talent. Some of his signees who ranged across genres like jazz, Afro-pop, kwaito and gospel were Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo, Caiphus Semenya, Don Laka, Mdu and Joe Nina.

Mkhize is the founding member of the high-flying gospel ensemble Joyous Celebration alongside his two close friends Jabu Hlongwane and Mthunzi Namba. He has also served as a judge on Clash of the Choirs SA, the 2013 Mzansi Magic reality competition. He was also a leading figure in the reality talent show I Want To Sing Gospel since 2008. The winners of the competition received a recording deal with Lindelani Mkhize Entertainment, Mkhize’s label.