Johannesburg – Multi-talented artist Unathi Nkayi, known for her powerful voice and outspoken nature, has revealed a deeply spiritual approach to her music career, attributing her success to divine inspiration.
The 46-year-old singer, radio host, and media personality, originally from Makhanda in the Eastern Cape, has graced the South African entertainment industry for over two decades, creating music that resonates across the country.
“I don’t write; I surrender to God,” Unathi explained in a recent interview. “My name Unathi’uthixo means God is with us at all times. I ask Him: ‘What do you want me to share with our people? What do you want me to write? What do you want me to sing about?’ I trust in that because I believe He gave me this gift.”
For Unathi, music is not a competition for fame, but a sacred calling. “I’ve never done music to be popular or to be the best. The only reason I’ve ever done music is because it was given to me. God said: ‘You’ve got to share this’. So, when I receive it, I share it. When I don’t speak to God or communicate with Him, He doesn’t bless me,” she shared.
The impact of her music, predominantly sung in isiZulu and isiXhosa, transcends linguistic barriers. “It’s so powerful. I think of Tata Madiba who said: ‘Sport and music are universal languages of the world’. It doesn’t matter what language you speak, if someone is performing well, it’ll touch you,” she reflected, highlighting the universal power of music to connect people.
Unathi describes the connection with her audience as a humbling and divine experience: “It’s like God is kissing us from heaven. That’s what it feels like.”
Looking towards the future, Unathi is preparing to release new music in 2025. She is currently working on an EP titled African Love, featuring her favourite male artists from across the globe, all with African roots. “This EP is about celebrating African ancestry and creativity. I’m featuring both South African and international artists. It’s something I’m commanded by God to share,” she stated.
Unathi alleges that Mhlongo’s return to Idols SA, following allegations of abuse against him, was conditional upon her removal from the judging panel. “I knew it was coming because Somizi was coming back, I knew he wouldn’t want to work with me after the stance I took,” she stated. This “stance,” she explained, was her unwavering refusal to defend sexual offenders, referencing Mhlongo’s 2008 conviction and the allegations of abuse against him in 2021.
The deterioration of their friendship, according to Unathi, began during and after her divorce from Thomas Msengana. She claims Mhlongo, a mutual friend, sided with her ex-husband, creating significant tension in their relationship. “Somizi and I are no longer friends because he chose Thomas’ side, and I don’t have any problem with him,” she explained, detailing how Mhlongo’s actions included ceasing communication, taking holidays with Msengana, and making negative comments about her on his reality show.
Unathi’s family advised her to accept the situation, but the tension escalated further in 2021 following renewed allegations of sexual abuse against Mhlongo. Her public expression of relief at R. Kelly’s conviction led to questions about her lack of support for Mhlongo, to which she responded firmly: “People asked me why I didn’t support Somizi. He is not my friend, and I don’t support sex offenders,” reiterating his 2008 conviction.
Nkayi alleges that she learned of her contract termination through the media, believing it was a direct consequence of Mhlongo’s return to Idols SA and his influence on the show’s producers. “I saw that Somizi was coming back for the final season, and I knew he would never want to work with me after the stance I took,” she said.
She further alleges that Mhlongo demanded her removal as a condition for his return, a gamble the show ultimately took, resulting in a loss of viewers in the final season, according to Nkayi. “The show took a gamble on losing viewers by not renewing my contract to meet Somizi’s demands,” she commented.
