Life sometimes places people in painful situations that could easily break them, but for Phila Mnisi, those hardships became the foundation of his faith and purpose.
At just 33 years old, Mnisi has already walked a journey marked by loss, struggles and perseverance. A journey he says led him to fully surrender his life to God and pursue Gospel ministry.
Born and raised in Siteki at Mahhuku along the foot-and-mouth disease cordon fence, Mnisi describes himself as ‘a product of pain.’ He attended St Boniface Primary School before proceeding to Matsetsa Nazarene High School and later completed his secondary education at Sigangeni High School on the outskirts of Mbabane.
Mnisi said his life was never easy from the very beginning. He lost both parents while still an infant, with his father passing away in South Africa when he was only a few weeks old, followed by the death of his mother before he turned one-year-old. Raised by relatives, he said life was difficult and filled with many challenges.
Mnisi’s first true encounter with God came in 2010 when he attended a service at Divine Healing Ministries while he was still in Grade VII.
He said it was during that period that he felt God speaking to him and calling him closer, at a time when he was searching for comfort and direction because of the painful life he had experienced growing up without parents.
“I heard about Jesus Christ in 2010 when I was in Grade VII. At that time, because of the life I was living, I wanted to know if it was true that God could really be my shoulder to cry on,” he said.
Mnisi says accepting Christ at a young age became a turning point in his life, as he saw God as a father to the fatherless and a mother to the motherless. As his relationship with God grew, he discovered his gift of worship and music ministry.
“After I received Him, God showed me the gift of worship. When I was in Form I, people started noticing the talent in me. I prayed about it and God continued to grow me,” he said. In late 2019, while serving at Divine Healing Ministries, Mnisi’s gift began opening doors for him. He said several musicians who visited the church noticed his talent and connected him to larger platforms and ministry opportunities.
Since then, he has ministered at national events such as VOC and Crossover services, as well as in different churches within and outside Eswatini, including Mozambique and South Africa.
Despite the opportunities, Mnisi said the Gospel music industry also comes with challenges.
“One thing I have noticed is that many Gospel musicians do not support upcoming artists. There is a lot of division and competition among us,” he said.
However, he added that those experiences never discouraged him from continuing to minister through music.
Mnisi said he is currently focused on building both his ministry and his legacy.
With the help of God, he plans to host his first live recording in June and hopes to complete six songs before the end of the year.
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