South African musician and actress Winnie Khumalo has passed away at the age of 51 after a brief illness, this has been exclusively confirm by Sunday World. She died on Tuesday at her home. Khumalo’s sudden death has left her family, friends, and fans in shock, with many remembering her contributions to the music industry and entertainment world.
Sabelo “Ntombeningi” Sithole, a close friend and media personality, was one of the first to be notified by Winnie’s daughter, Rethabile Khumalo. “I was contacted by Rethabile, and I could hear from her voice that she was not okay. She asked me to rush to her mother’s house because Winnie was not moving. I rushed there and unfortunately it was too late. I am distraught and I have lost a friend,” said Sithole, still in disbelief.
Sithole had spoken to Winnie just a day before her death on Monday, January 6. “I knew she was not fine, but I did not know she would come to this,” he added.
Winnie Khumalo first gained fame as a teenager in the 1980s, having been discovered by the late Brenda Fassie. The Soweto-born singer began her career as a backing vocalist for Fassie before releasing her own album Hey Laitie at just 15 years old. Her 1980s work continued with an album titled Dlamini, and she recorded a gospel album Izono Zami in the 1990s.
One of the defining moments of her early career was her time working alongside Brenda Fassie. Khumalo also collaborated with various artists such as Pure Magic, Sipho Mbele, and Bongo Maffin, and appeared in TV shows like Muvhango and Mponeng, where she played a sangoma.
After taking a break from music, Khumalo returned in 2008 with a mature sound, releasing I Just Wanna Live My Life, produced by Oscar “Oskido” Mdlongwa. The album’s music video garnered multiple nominations, including Best Dance Video and Best Afro Pop Video at the Channel O Music Awards, as well as a nomination for Record of the Year at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs).
In 2009, Khumalo performed the hit song Mina Ngiyohlala Nginje during the ANC election campaigns with then-President Jacob Zuma. She continued to make waves in the industry, and her music was beloved by fans across South Africa.
Khumalo also had a lasting influence on her daughter, Rethabile, who went on to pursue a successful career in music, despite initial setbacks during her early auditions for SA Idols.
Khumalo’s untimely passing is a significant loss to the South African music and entertainment scene, where she was not just a singer, but also a performer and beloved figure. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
JUST IN| Afropop musician Winnie Khumalo has passed away. Family Representative and sister Tshepi Akeepile shares more details. pic.twitter.com/TGeyTTqcv5
— SABC News (@SABCNews) January 7, 2025
