Vusa Mkhaya has released “Khanyisa” his fourth studio album. Mkhaya’s latest body of work consists of 12 songs which he wrote and recorded during the COVID-19 induced lockdowns. The album also features tracks such as Masiyephambili, Demloot, Ngiyabongamina and Ibambeni which were all released as singles last year. 

By Kudakwashe Takundwa

Vusa Mkhaya is a 2020 National Arts Merit Awards recipient of the Artist in the Diaspora Award, 2021 Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards Outstanding Artist in the Diaspora Award and was in 2019 bestowed with the UK Zim Achievers honorary Award (For Service to Music and Cultural Promotion. 

The new album is titled “Khanyisa” as Mkhaya believes there are so many ways to shine a light to those that maybe facing challenges in this day and age were many people are self-absorbed, concerned about how they look and how others think of them. The concept of Ubuntu seems to be a thing of the past and is now a theory to those who still cling to it. 

 “I spent a lot of time at home during the lockdown and put my home studio to good use as I wrote, composed and recorded a lot of music. The lockdown was a blessing in disguise as it afforded me a chance to unleash my creativity, from the work done during the lockdown believe almost four albums can come out from the music I did.”  Vusa Mkhaya

“It is very important to shine our light to those that are still having challenges, a candle loses nothing by lighting another, it is my hope that when you listen to this album you will be inspired to enlighten and motivated to shine your light on others that need it more than you do.” Vusa Mkhaya.

Khanyisa also includes songs such as Dabuka Lwandle, Hamba, Shonalanga, Makube Njalo, uGogo and Zimele which he featured multi-talented artist Futurelove. The album is available on various digital stores like iTunes, Spotify and Deezer. 

Vusa Mkhaya’s Khanyisa is a solid album. It is pregnant with messages that capture the daily struggles in Zimbabwe whilst re-igniting a sense of hope and new imagination. The artistic work carries a lot of depth which might not easily trend in Zimbabwe but will definitely get global appreciation and last the test of time”

Plot Mhako

Mkhaya’s discography features albums that include The Spirit of Ubuntu (2006), Vocalism (2012) and UManyanyatha – Songs from the Soul of Zimbabwe (2020). Mkhaya also forms part of Imbube outfit Insingizi which has gained success worldwide. Their 2004 album, Voices of Southern Africa / Spirit of Africa, has sold over 250 000 units in North America.