The singing shopkeeper

Crooner supreme - Delani Mthethwa serenades the ladies with his deep resonant voice and a bunch of red roses

The songs are sometimes sad, sometimes spirited and joyful. But when Delani Mthethwa sings, his face glows with the look of someone doing something he deeply loves. Mthethwa (37) is unobtrusive as he goes about his daily duties among the aisles in a Richards Bay supermarket. When one comes closer, a soft melody can be heard as he hums away under his breath. Sometimes, when the music carries him away, a customer is treated to his powerful voice, with tones ranging between soprano, tenor and alto with a deep resonance and soulful lyrics. ‘I praise God every day. I believe that I will see Him face to face one day and I sing for Him.’ Mthethwa has been singing for as long as he can remember, first in Sunday school and church and later at functions. Through the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mthethwa is a member of the Mbabe Male Voice choir, under choirmaster Celo Mthembu. Mbabe recently won a competition at a church conference hosted by the Umfolozi Evangelical Lutheran Youth League, where many different choirs participated. ‘My favourite song is an isiZulu song called ‘Mina Ngiyazi mhla ngidlu la lapha’, which means ‘I know if I pass away where I can stay - I will stay with God.’ ‘I also love ‘Climbing up the Mountain of Zion’. ‘When I sang that song one day, a customer said to me he would come back to buy something every day if he can listen to that piece of music. ‘The organ is my instrument of choice and I love gospel music the most. ‘We also have a mixed choir at home and I sing at every opportunity I get. ‘Music and singing are my way of offering my life to God and bringing joy to others.’