Birth name Nkosinathi Mankayi Years active 2008–present Associated acts Vusi Nova | Instruments Vocals Labels Ghetto Ruff/Muthaland Record label Muthaland Entertainment Genres Afro pop music, Afro-soul | |
Occupation(s) singer-songwriter, artiste Awards South African Music Award for Best Selling Full-Track Download Similar Vusi Nova, Amanda, Zahara, Emtee, Kwesta |
Nathi inyembezi
Nkosinathi Mankayi (born 23 December 1982), professionally known as Nathi, is a South African singer-songwriter and artist. He shot to limelight upon the release of his critically acclaimed song titled "Nomvula" off his triple-platinum debut studio album Buyelekhaya. He later released his second album titled Umbulelo Wam on 28 October 2016. He is presently signed under Ghetto Ruff/Muthaland Entertainment, a South African independent record label.
Contents
- Nathi inyembezi
- Saty2016 exclusive with interview nkosinathi mankayi
- Early life
- 20082014 Early beginnings
- 2015present Buyelekhaya and Umbulelo Wam
- Songs
- References
Saty2016 exclusive with interview nkosinathi mankayi
Early life

Nkosinathi Mankayi was born among five siblings to a single mother in Mthatha, a small town in Eastern Cape, South Africa. He grew up in Maclear, Eastern Cape, South Africa where he had his education and developed an interest in music and drawing. In 2006, Nathi was sentenced to 8 years in prison for a 2002 robbery-related crime. He was however released after serving 4 years.
2008–2014: Early beginnings
With the aim of pursuing a career in music, Nathi competed and won a local music competition known as "Dare to Dream". He had his share of luck in November 2014 after Vusi Nova heard him sing and insisted on featuring him on a song titled "Noma Kanjani", a song that was widely received and went on to receive massive airplay around South Africa.
2015–present: Buyelekhaya and Umbulelo Wam

Nathi started recording his debut studio album titled Buyelekhaya in late 2014, releasing "Nomvula" as its lead single in 2015. Upon the release of the song, it became an instant hit, winning the "Best Selling Full-Track Download" at the 22nd South African Music Awards. On 10 March 2015, through Muthaland Entertainment, Nathi released Buyelekhaya to critical and commercial acceptance by going platinum within six weeks of its release, selling over 128,000 units. At the 22nd South African Music Awards, Nathi won five awards with Buyelekhaya winning the "Best-Selling Album of the Year" and "Best R&B / Soul / Reggae Album" categories.
On 28 October 2016, he released a 12-track sophomore album titled Umbulelo Wam. The album charted on #2 on iTunes and sold over 35,000 units.

Songs
NomvulaBuyelekhaya · 2015
NomakanjaniBuyelekhaya · 2015
InyembeziUmbulelo Wam · 2016