Singer Winnie Khumalo, has died aged 51 after a short illness. Picture: X / @PhilMphela
Image: Picture: X / @PhilMphela
Legendary South African actress and singer Winnie Khumolo, best known for her hit song ‘Live My Life,’ has died at 51 after a short illness, a family representative confirmed.
Family spokesperson, Tshephi Rakeepile, confirmed that Khumalo died on Tuesday after a short illness.
In an interview with the SABC, Rakeepile expressed that the family is in deep sorrow, saying: ”We are deeply saddened as a family to announce the death of our dearly beloved sister, a mother, our friend, she passed away after a short illness and as a family at this stage we are deeply saddened.”
Khumalo was the mother of singer Rethabile Khumalo and the late boxing champion Digaan Thobela’s son, Thabo Khumalo.
Rakeepile disclosed that Khumalo was alone when she fell in and her daughter was not present at that time.
“Well, yes, she was sick at that moment and her daughter was out, but it was her daughter (Rethabile) that actually came back home to come and collect her so that she could be taken to the hospital,” she said.
According to Rakeepile, Rethabile tried to help her mother when she arrived home.
“She did try to help her at that time, at that moment she was really not well.”
Rakeepile said Khumalo died on her way to the hospital to get medical attention.
“But unfortunately, on their drive to the hospital, that's when she passed away, because when they arrived at the hospital, they pronounced the death on arrival.”
The cause of her death is unknown at the moment, however, she said the family is at a “loss” and devastated by Khumalo’s death.
Khumalo leaves behind three grandchildren that she is leaving behind and extended family who are mourning her death.
Who is Winnie Khumalo?
Khumalo was born in Mofolo, north Soweto, and began her music career at the age of 15. She released her debut album Hey Laitie, Tshina Tshina, which was produced by music legend Sello Chicco Twala.
In the early 1980s, she released a gospel album titled Dlamini, followed by a gospel album titled Izoni Zami in the 1990s, produced by Paster Langa Dube.
Khumalo has worked with notable musicians such as the late Brenda Fassie as a backing vocalist and collaborated with the likes of Pure Magic Sipho Mbele, Brothers of Peace (B.O.P) Bongo Maffin, Zonke Dikana and Dj Cleo.
Khumalo has graced small television screens on SABC’s series Mponeng and Muvhango, portraying the role of a sangoma (traditional healer).
She also played in a stage play called The Journey, including Thwala’s film Madluphuthu.
After taking a break from the music industry to raise her children, Khumalo made a successful comeback in 2008, with a mature album titled I Just Wanna Live My Life, which was produced and distributed by Kalawa Jazzmee Records Oskido “Oscar” Mdlongwa.
The album was a hit, selling more than 25 000 copies and earned a gold record, with its smash single, I Just Wanna Live My Life, dominating the music charts, receiving nominations, including the Channel O Music Awards.
Khumalo went on to take the music industry by storm by releasing another hit song titled Mina Ngiyohlala Nginje, composed by Twala, which saw her rocking the stage with former president Jacob Zume during the 2009 African National Congress (ANC) election campaigns.
Following the news of her death, social media has been flooded with tributes from fans, supporters and the public paying tribute and honouring the late singer.
IOL