After making it to the Top 10 of Idol SA season 11, Lungisa Xhamela's career began to flourish. He performed across the continent as a fan favourite and signed with Vth Season for six years while collaborating with Gallo Music. In 2023, he parted ways with Vth Season to focus on his solo career.

AWARD-WINNING

He was nominated for a South African Music Award in 2020 amongst big names like Elaine, Tellaman, Tshego, and Yanga Sobetwa, but he did not think he would take it. "I won it amongst all those people for best R&B and soul,' he said. That was his first award, but he could not celebrate it due to COVID-19. "It came at a time when I was going through the most. I had dreamt of winning that award, walking up on stage, and giving my acceptance speech, but I couldn't because of COVID-19, and I was going through some personal issues,' he said.

LIVING A HIGH LIFE

Lungisa went from living high in Sunninghill with his girlfriend, Phiwo, to renting one-bedroom quarters in Soweto. "I was living a high life in Sandton, beyond my means. The COVID-19 also didn't help. It was unrealistic,' he said. "So, when I lost everything, my girlfriend and I at the time had to leave and move into a backroom in Soweto. I was at my lowest. I never looked like my problems; I always looked good, posted pictures in the right places, and masked off my issues,' he said. "No bookings and not making money. I stayed there for three months, not coming out of the house, feeling down and depressed. But my relationship with God grew during that time,' he added.

SAVED BY THE CHURCH

Lungisa attended church. "My father is a pastor, so I grew up in the church, but my faith was tested. I never really knew God that well,' he said. During this time, he attended more church and was forced to be strong. He said he knew God put him there for a reason and to get closer to him. According to the singer, he went to church more and became a music director in church. Although he is not ordained, he is called Pastor L and preaches at the Tabernacle of Grace church. "I would love one day to be ordained or to follow that path in some way. Had I not gone through that moment of living in Soweto for three to four months, I would not be where I am today.' After getting a few gigs and saving some money, he went back to Joburg north and picked up the pieces.