About
KHENSANI
Thando Khensani Silinda, known mononymously as KHENSANI, is a South African-born, Boston-based vocalist, songwriter and music director. Her sound blends soulful R&B, African heritage and faith that uplifts, connects and heals.
She was born and raised in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, the home of MGOMA (gospel awards). Her parents were deeply involved in church, so her childhood was filled with gospel music, talented church musicians and a vibrant dance culture.
She started on piano in primary school. At thirteen she founded her high school's student-led marimba band. With no qualified teachers, she led young musicians through arrangements and compositions, all played by ear. Guitar, djembe and drums followed soon after, and before long she was leading every music group at school.
"Music is a space for people who don't have a voice to get a voice."
"Continue to shine the light of who Thando is, not trying to be anybody else."From her interview on Newzroom Afrika, 2023
A voice for the voiceless
Strong in maths and science as well as music, Khensani hadn't first planned on music as a career. That changed while she was volunteering at a learning centre for children with disabilities. A non-verbal autistic student came alive in her Friday music sessions, singing every note and picking up rhythms instantly. She realised music could give a voice to people who don't have one, and that became her calling.
Jesus is the centre of Khensani's life, and she was recently licensed as a minister. Leading worship and writing songs start in the same place for her: listen first, then hand people words they can carry. Being a minister has strengthened her musicianship and her performance, and it is why her music keeps landing somewhere between a performance and a prayer.
She spent two years working towards Berklee College of Music. Along the way she was a candidate for an Arts & Culture Trust scholarship and performed at its gala in Gauteng. She was awarded Berklee's Presidential Global Impact Scholar award, the college's biggest scholarship, and Newzroom Afrika featured her in 2023.
She is now completing her degree in Vocal Performance at Berklee (Class of 2027). In Boston she has found a piece of home in the city's South African community. She has a dynamic stage presence, plays several instruments and loves building community through music. Her senior recital, Uthando Olungaka ("a love so great"), brings all of that together.
Writing
"Drummer"
Her poem Drummer appears in Fusion Magazine's Post-Modernist Poems.
Read it at Fusion Magazine →Pull up a seat…
I write to this list when there's a new song, a night on stage, or a story I can't keep to myself.