In Conversation: Nontokozo Hlatshwayo On Faith, Loss And Her Journey Into Worship Music

In Conversation: Nontokozo Hlatshwayo On Faith, Loss And Her Journey Into Worship Music. At just 22 years old, Nontokozo Hlatshwayo is emerging as a sincere and steady voice in South African gospel and worship music. Raised in a Christian home in Johannesburg, she first found her place in the church choir at the age of five and has never left that space of song and service. What began as childhood participation has grown into a clear calling: to glorify God through worship and to create room for others to encounter His presence.

She does not chase the spotlight. Privacy has always felt natural to her. Yet the melodies that come in her private times with God, the deep love for worship that took root early, and the profound comfort she experienced while ministering at her father’s funeral have all confirmed that this is the path she is meant to walk. Her cover songs currently reflect a season of surrender, a deliberate laying down of her own plans in trust of God’s better ones.

In this conversation with Worship Chronicle, Nontokozo speaks openly about the roots of her faith, the heart behind her music, and the quiet conviction that shapes everything she writes and sings.

Worship Chronicle: For those discovering your ministry for the first time, who is Nontokozo Hlatshwayo beyond the music?

Nontokozo Hlatshwayo: Nontokozo H is just a 22-year-old girl from Johannesburg, South Africa who loves and lives for the Lord. I express my love for Him mostly through music, through worship ministry. I was raised in a Christian home, which means I was taught a lot about how a Christian lifestyle should be from a very young age. That foundation has impacted my whole life in such a good and positive way.

Worship Chronicle: Your bio says your mandate is to glorify God through your worship. When did you first recognise that calling on your life?

Nontokozo: I first started singing in the church choir at the age of five, and till today I’m still at it. At first I thought I was just doing it for the sake of doing it. I was still too young to understand anything. As time went on, I started falling in love with singing, and especially with worship. I could see that whenever I lifted my voice, fellow Christians around me would close their eyes and worship; some would cry to the Lord. That made me so happy. My dad used to emphasise that we are ambassadors of Christ. We are to advance His kingdom in everything we do. When I saw that God is glorified when I lift my voice, and His people actually come before His throne to worship, I just wanted to do more. I thought, “Actually, I think this is what God is calling me to do.

What really confirmed the calling was after the death of my father. I was so broken. I wanted no one and nothing around me. I felt like everything was just a big lie waiting to be taken away, and it would hurt again. Yet I had to minister at the funeral. I sang, and I’ve never felt so safe before. Worship felt like home that day. It felt like the warmest hug I’ve ever received. Immediately, I knew what I had to do.

Worship Chronicle: You describe yourself as being deeply rooted in God’s Word. How does your personal time with God influence the songs you write and sing?

Nontokozo: I am currently in the process of recording my debut single. For me, songwriting is not doable until I stay with God in the secret place, reading and living His Word, staying in prayer, and meditating. Most importantly, consistency is everything.

Worship Chronicle: What does leading people into worship mean to you beyond simply performing on stage?

Nontokozo: For me, leading worship is about serving and not performing. I understand that my responsibility isn’t to impress people but to create an atmosphere where they can encounter God’s presence for themselves, and actually leave the gathering wanting more of God’s presence, with burdens lifted from them.

Worship Chronicle: Tell us about your journey into gospel music. What inspired you to start recording your own songs?

Nontokozo: My journey into gospel music began with a deep love for worship, but I didn’t really want to be an artist or enter the industry. I like my privacy and didn’t want to be in the public eye. I simply wanted to serve God with the gift He has given me. As I grew in my relationship with God, when I was in the place of fellowship with Him, I started receiving new melodies I’d never heard anywhere before. Sometimes I receive the melody with the lyrics.

Worship Chronicle: Are there any biblical figures or scriptures that consistently inspire your songwriting?

Nontokozo: Growing up in a choir, we were always encouraged to read the book of Psalms a lot, especially before any ministration. I would say King David inspires my songwriting a lot.

Worship Chronicle: Your recent releases continue to build a strong catalogue of worship music. What season of your life are these songs reflecting?

Nontokozo: I’d say these songs are reflecting a season of surrender in my life. I’m currently at a point where I’ve just laid everything in God’s hands, and I’m trusting His plans for my life more than my own desires. I’ve realised that trying to do life our way while saying we trust God is just us contradicting ourselves, and that can lead to a lot of frustration.

Worship Chronicle: If someone could remember just one thing after hearing your music, what would you want that message to be?

Nontokozo: I’d love for people to realise that God, through Jesus Christ, is the only place we can find rest, peace, joy and faithfulness. If I worship and someone actually longs to build a relationship with God and wants to stay in His presence, then I’m very happy.

Worship Chronicle: What do you hope someone encounters after listening to your music for the very first time?

Nontokozo: More than enjoying the music, I hope and pray that they experience God’s presence, His peace, His love and His comfort. And I pray that they leave with a renewed desire to seek Him personally.

Worship Chronicle: How important is authenticity in worship, especially in today’s worship music ministry?

Nontokozo: Authenticity is very important because worship is about the posture of the heart more than anything. People may be moved by talent, but lasting transformation comes through genuine worship that’s from a life surrendered to Christ. As worship ministers, our greatest responsibility is to faithfully point people back to our Maker and return all the glory to Him.

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