Their usual stop to refuel in a Karoo town took an unusual turn for a Johannesburg mother-of-two recently‚ resulting in a video of a singing petrol attendant going viral.
Dubbed the “Karoo petrol attendant with a voice like Pavarotti”‚ Mthetheleli Gxoyiya has become an internet sensation – and a celebrity in the town of Cradock – thanks to his operatic voice.
Heidi Valentine-Oatway and her family were returning to Johannesburg from her hometown‚ Grahamstown‚ when they stopped at the Total garage in Cradock on August 9 to fill up.
“That’s when I heard this amazing baritone voice. We were listening to classical music in the car so at first I thought it’s the radio but then I realised that it’s one of the petrol attendants singing‚” Valentine-Oatway said.
“We drove off but then I told my husband‚ James‚ the petrol attendant’s voice touched my heart strings. I knew I would regret not recording him (I didn’t know his name then).”
Her husband James Oatway – an award-winning former Sunday Times photographer – turned back so she could record the singing attendant with her iPhone 6.
“There were a few petrol attendants standing around. I asked them who sang so beautifully. That’s when this guy identified himself. I then asked his permission to record his singing. He agreed‚” she said.
“After the recording I asked for his personal details. I told him I will try my best to let the world know what a talented individual he is and hopefully someone influential will help him.”
Valentine-Oatway posted the video and her story on Facebook the next day.
“Total SA is now aware of their talented employee. A few newspapers and radio stations have run the story online. But to my knowledge no one has come forward to help Mthetheleli as yet,” she said.
“I sincerely hope there is someone influential out there who can help Mthetheleli.
“That will make me extremely happy if I hear that he has succeeded one day.” — Tiso Black Star Group Digital/The Herald
Stop for petrol uncovers opera star attendant
Dubbed the “Karoo petrol attendant with a voice like Pavarotti”‚ Mthetheleli Gxoyiya has become an internet sensation – and a celebrity in the town of Cradock – thanks to his operatic voice.
Heidi Valentine-Oatway and her family were returning to Johannesburg from her hometown‚ Grahamstown‚ when they stopped at the Total garage in Cradock on August 9 to fill up.
“That’s when I heard this amazing baritone voice. We were listening to classical music in the car so at first I thought it’s the radio but then I realised that it’s one of the petrol attendants singing‚” Valentine-Oatway said.
“We drove off but then I told my husband‚ James‚ the petrol attendant’s voice touched my heart strings. I knew I would regret not recording him (I didn’t know his name then).”
Her husband James Oatway – an award-winning former Sunday Times photographer – turned back so she could record the singing attendant with her iPhone 6.
“There were a few petrol attendants standing around. I asked them who sang so beautifully. That’s when this guy identified himself. I then asked his permission to record his singing. He agreed‚” she said.
“After the recording I asked for his personal details. I told him I will try my best to let the world know what a talented individual he is and hopefully someone influential will help him.”
Valentine-Oatway posted the video and her story on Facebook the next day.
“Total SA is now aware of their talented employee. A few newspapers and radio stations have run the story online. But to my knowledge no one has come forward to help Mthetheleli as yet,” she said.
“I sincerely hope there is someone influential out there who can help Mthetheleli.
“That will make me extremely happy if I hear that he has succeeded one day.” — Tiso Black Star Group Digital/The Herald
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