Pop singer and Amapiano star Rethabile Khumalo is on the mend after a harrowing experience of alleged poisoning. Reported by ZiMoja, the Umjolo hitmaker recently took to Instagram Live to update her fans on her recovery journey.
On June 28, Rethabile’s mother, renowned musician Winnie Khumalo, broke the silence on Instagram with a heart-wrenching post: “So I thought I would keep quiet until my daughter was okay. She is fighting for her life. She was poisoned by a so-called friend.” Winnie further revealed that Rethabile’s seven-month-old son, Culo, was also affected, having ingested the poison through breastfeeding. Both mother and child were in critical condition, with Rethabile undergoing multiple surgeries during her hospital stay.
Though Rethabile was initially discharged, her health took a turn for the worse, leading to a recent readmission. Despite these setbacks, the Khumalos remain optimistic. During her live session, Rethabile, visibly hooked up to a drip, expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of support and prayers from fans. She was joined by her mother, Winnie, famous for her hit Let Me Live My Life, who shared in the positive update.
“Thank you to each and every one of you for your prayers while I am in the hospital,” Rethabile said, her resilience shining through despite the challenges. The star is eager to get back to promoting her music, a passion that remains undiminished.
When asked about pressing charges against the alleged perpetrator, Winnie explained that their focus is on Rethabile’s recovery for now. “Rethabile thought she had friends, but no. This is the time when she will realise that she doesn’t have many friends but people who know her. This place (the hospital) has opened her eyes,” Winnie stated, reflecting on the betrayal and the lessons learned from this ordeal.
Support from the music community has been overwhelming, with well-wishers including DJ Ganyani, DJ Fresh, Ebony Ngcobo and her daughter Ntombee, Bongi Mlothswa, and Khanyo Maphumulo, among others.
Amidst this turmoil, Rethabile’s music continues to flourish. Her song Ntyilo Ntyilo, featuring Master KG, has achieved platinum status, and her latest releases, Egalile and Islonda, are also performing well on streaming platforms.
Rethabile’s strength and the unwavering support of her mother and fans are helping her navigate this difficult time, and her determination to return to the music scene is stronger than ever.
