Phelelani

Phelelani Mthembu was born on the 7th of January 1997, at Edendale Pietermaritzburg.

Growing up, he was bred in a number of places until he eventually settled at Senaoane in Soweto with his grandparents and some family members when he began high school at Senaoane Senior Secondary (Junior).

Phelelani's love for the guitar started when he was 12 years old. His father - Bongani Mthembu - was playing Phuzekhemisi's CD while they were traveling to Newcastle; on one of the songs, the sound of the guitar fascinated him and sparked interest.

At the time, he didn't yet know whether he wanted to play the instrument or not, but he was certainly captured. Only when he was in grade 12 was his love for the guitar intensified and he decided to get one.

At first, it was very tricky because he didn't know how he was going to learn this instrument; he didn't know anyone who knew how to play the guitar nor anyone who could teach him in his neighborhood.

One day, a friend of his told him about a man who used to work with the likes of Lucky Dube, and who conveniently stayed a street away from Phelelani's.

Sandile Dlamini taught him a few things, including how to tune the guitar, chords and others. Mr. Dlamini noticed how serious Phelelani was about his desire to play this instrument and advised him to enroll himself in an arts institution. After some research, he enrolled himself at South Western Gauteng College - Dobsonville campus and majored in popular music & guitar. While he was there, he and his friend decided to form a band called 'Abantu Natives'. After being married for over two years, the band separated and Phelelani decided to go solo. Ever since he held the guitar, he never looked back; fast forward 2022, his single 'Imal'a Yikho' was recorded and released on most digital platforms pending his album, 'Man In The Green Blanket'.