Zaza Mokhethi

Zanele Mokhethi, professionally known as Zaza Mokhethi, is a South African gospel singer, songwriter and entrepreneur. Revered as one of the most dynamic vocalists in the modern South African gospel landscape, she is widely celebrated for her commanding stage presence and deeply moving live worship performances.

Before establishing herself as an independent solo powerhouse, Zaza built a formidable reputation through her work with prestigious gospel ensembles like Joyous Celebration and Spirit of Praise. Her ability to effortlessly transition between intimate worship and vibrant, high-energy African praise has cemented her status as a beloved figure in Christian music.

Beyond her vocal abilities, Zaza is a trailblazer behind the scenes. She is the founder of Zahza Holdings, a multifaceted company that operates her independent record label, which she intentionally designed to empower and protect the next generation of female gospel artists in South Africa.

Early Life and Background

Zanele Mokhethi was born in 1978 and raised in Kwa-Thema, a township located east of Johannesburg, South Africa.She was raised in a deeply musical household and inherited her vocal talent from both of her parents, with her mother playing a particularly strong role in encouraging her to pursue music.Growing up without a television in their home, her family spent their evenings singing together.These nightly family worship sessions became the foundation of her musical training and instilled a lifelong passion for gospel music.

How Their Music Career Started

Zaza began her professional journey by lending her voice to prominent South African gospel groups. Her true introduction to the national audience occurred when she joined the multi-award-winning collective Joyous Celebration.Her lead performance on the hit song “Namhla Nkosi” served as a major turning point, opening significant industry doors and introducing her powerful vocal tone to the broader public. She subsequently became a recurring and highly anticipated vocalist for the Spirit of Praise collective, delivering unforgettable live performances on tracks like “Zonk’ Izono,” “Ngena” and “Thel’ U Moya”.

Career and Breakthrough

After gaining widespread recognition as a featured vocalist, Zaza transitioned into a fully fledged solo artist. Her early solo journey was met with difficult industry challenges, including signing unfavorable contracts that led to years of performing without fair compensation.Rather than walking away from music, she took full control of her career by founding Zahza Holdings.Operating as her own record label, fashion line and foundation, the company allowed her to release her own live recording projects independently.Her debut solo live project, Blowing the Horn of Chronicle, was released in 2016 under her own company and officially established her as a leading standalone act.

Notable Songs and Albums

Zaza’s discography is defined by a series of highly successful live “Chronicle” albums. Following her 2016 debut, she released The Outpouring Chronicle in 2019, followed by Shrubs of Chronicle in 2021 and Shabach Shofar Chronicle in 2023. Her catalog is rich with deeply spiritual anthems, including beloved tracks like “Imbewu,” “Sthembele Kuwe” and her powerful live renditions of traditional hymns. In 2025, she released Sound of Gratitude (Live), a project she heavily co-wrote to share her personal themes of hope, faith and renewal.

Major Collaborations

Throughout her career, Zaza has maintained a strong collaborative spirit within the South African gospel fraternity. Her foundational work with Joyous Celebration and Spirit of Praise allowed her to share the stage with some of the biggest names in the genre. She has recorded and performed alongside respected gospel veterans, including Reverend Benjamin Dube, Solly Mahlangu and Omega Khunou. She is also passionate about collaborating with emerging artists, frequently featuring upcoming talent on her own live recording projects.

Personal Life

Zaza is married, and her faith and family remain the central pillars of her life.She has openly shared testimonies of God’s protection, notably recalling a terrifying ordeal following the recording of her second live DVD.She and her husband were hijacked and held hostage for eight hours while their bank accounts were emptied.They prayed continuously throughout the traumatic experience, and Zaza credits God for saving their lives, a testimony that heavily influenced the spiritual depth of her subsequent music.

Current Career / Recent Activities

Today, Zaza Mokhethi is not only a celebrated performing artist but also a mentor to the next generation. Through her “Woman in Chronicle” live recording series, she actively creates platforms to empower and uplift younger female gospel singers from across South Africa.She tours extensively across the African continent and Europe, performing in countries like the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Kenya and Rwanda. Balancing her roles as a label executive, worship leader and mentor, she continues to release charting live projects and headline major gospel festivals.