Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]
THULANI Nyashanu has spent nearly 20 years helping other artists find their sound. Working behind studio mixing desks and production consoles, the Bulawayo-born producer has built a reputation as one of the most respected figures in Southern African music. His fingerprints can be found on songs by some of the region’s biggest names, yet his own story has largely unfolded away from the spotlight.
Known in music circles as DJ Face or 2LANI, Nyashanu has earned recognition as a producer, songwriter and sound engineer whose work has crossed genres and borders. Over the years, he has collaborated with artists such as Big Zulu, Vusi Nova, Emtee, Fifi Cooper, Maskiri, Mduduzi Ncube and Madlela Dayona, establishing himself as a highly regarded creative force through his Face
The Muzik imprint.
But while music has shaped much of his professional life, Nyashanu says there has always been a deeper purpose guiding him.
Today, he is embracing that purpose fully.
The veteran producer is embarking on a new chapter centred on gospel music and worship ministry, a path he believes God prepared for him long before he entered the recording studio.
At the heart of that journey is Mutsvene, an upcoming worship song that reflects his faith, personal experiences and spiritual calling.
The title, which means “Holy” or “Sacred”, carries special significance for Nyashanu. More than simply another song release, he sees it as a personal testimony and an expression of his relationship with God.
“From a young age, I have always experienced God through many unexplainable encounters,” he said. “Even then, I knew that I was called to minister. God confirmed this gift in my life many times, to the point where, even when I felt I wasn’t ready, He continued to stir my heart until I finally surrendered to the call.”
The decision to embrace that calling, he says, changed the course of his life.
“Looking back, responding to that call has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. If anything, I only wish I had responded much sooner,” he said.
Born and raised in Bulawayo, Nyashanu’s introduction to both faith and music came at an early age. Growing up in a deeply Christian family, church life was a central part of his upbringing. His parents were actively involved in various church ministries, while hymns, prayer and worship formed part of everyday family life.
Those early experiences planted the seeds for a lifelong love of music.
His passion was nurtured through Sunday school and church gatherings, where he first discovered the power of worship through song.
When he entered the music industry in 2005, however, it was not as a singer or preacher but as a producer.
Armed with determination and a willingness to learn, Nyashanu developed his skills by studying acclaimed producers such as Delani Makhalima and Joe Maseko. Without access to extensive resources, he relied on observation, experimentation and countless hours in the studio to perfect his craft.
The recording studio became his classroom.
The mixing console became his instrument.
His hard work eventually paid off.
Over the years, he built an impressive catalogue spanning Afro-Jazz, Neo-Soul, gospel and contemporary African music. Among his notable credits are Vusi Nova’s Andizazi, which he composed and produced, Emtee’s Rollup, where he handled mastering duties, and Big Zulu’s 100 Bars, on which he worked as recording, mixing and mastering engineer.
He also contributed to Fifi Cooper’s Kisses as recording, mixing and mastering engineer, while producing Mduduzi Ncube’s Istimela and Madlela Dayona’s Ngamnank usamamo.
Despite spending much of his career helping other artists shine, Nyashanu has occasionally stepped into the spotlight himself. His recent Afro-Soul offering, Owami, featuring Blaq Appollo, gave audiences a glimpse of his abilities as a vocalist and performer.
Yet he says gospel music has always been his true destination.
His first gospel release, Faithful, introduced listeners to this new phase of his ministry and began reaching audiences beyond Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Now based in the United Kingdom, Nyashanu continues to balance music production with his growing ministry. While he remains active in producing music for both secular and gospel artists, Mutsvene occupies a special place in his heart.
“The song is a work in progress – we are currently building out the backing vocal arrangements and preparing for the final lead vocal tracking before it goes into full refinement. It is a project that requires patience and care because of the message it carries,” he said.
Nyashanu believes the song came to him in a remarkably complete form.
“Mutsvene was given to me in its entirety – the melody, the lyrics, and the message. My role was simply to receive it and record it as I had received it.”
That conviction has shaped every aspect of the project.
Rather than treating Mutsvene as just another entry in his musical catalogue, he views it as a message entrusted to him.
“From the very first day I began sharing the song with those closest to me, I could sense and see the expression of the Spirit through it. To me, Mutsvene is a deep call to worship. It is a declaration of God’s holiness, flowing from the way I have encountered Him in the secret place. This is more than just a song to me; it is an expression of an encounter with God.”
His years of experience in the studio are expected to bring a rich musical texture to the song. Drawing from the technical skills he has developed across multiple genres, Nyashanu is aiming to blend high-quality production with heartfelt worship.
Even so, he insists that the music itself is not the main focus.
For him, the message matters most.
His transition into gospel is not simply a change of genre. It is a commitment to using his gifts in service of a higher purpose.
“This chapter of my life is teaching me to let Jesus lead and to trust Him to do what He does best – restoring mankind back to the Father. I am learning what it means to be a willing vessel for the winning of souls, and to bring hope and faith into the hearts of God’s people.”
Those words reflect a man who is no longer content with remaining behind the scenes.
After years of helping others tell their stories through music, Nyashanu is finally sharing his own.
His journey from Bulawayo church pews to some of Southern Africa’s biggest recording studios, and now into a growing gospel ministry in the United Kingdom, shows how life’s path can sometimes come full circle.
While Mutsvene does not yet have an official release date, anticipation is steadily building around a song that could mark a defining moment in his ministry.
For Nyashanu, however, success will not be measured by chart positions, streaming numbers or industry awards.
“I am extremely grateful to have been chosen for this life-changing journey. I believe that everyone who listens to Mutsvene will encounter God in their own unique way.”
That, more than anything else, is the mission now driving the man once known primarily for producing hits. Today, Thulani Nyashanu is using the same talent that earned him respect across the music industry to spread a message of faith, hope and worship.
