Winnie Khumalo (20 July 1973 – 7 January 2025) was a South African Kwaito and Afropop singer, actor, and television personality. She was widely recognized as one of the country’s most prolific musical artists and was known for her collaborations with legendary South African musicians, including Brenda Fassie.

Beyond her own success, she was also the mother of Rethabile Khumalo, who followed in her footsteps and built a thriving career in the South African music industry. Winnie’s career spanned more than three decades, making her a significant figure in the local entertainment scene.

Born in Soweto, Winnie first rose to fame at just 15 years old, after being introduced to the music industry by the late Brenda Fassie. This early start laid the foundation for a long and impactful career, where she made major contributions to South African Kwaito and Afropop music.

Early Life and Education

Khumalo was born on 20 July 1973 in Soweto and was raised by her grandmother. She attended Mncube Senior Secondary School, where she balanced her education with her growing passion for music.

She began her musical career at the age of 13 in the 1980s and quickly became a familiar face on South African television. At just 15 years old, she released her first album, “Hey Laaitie”, marking the start of a promising career.

Throughout her early years, she collaborated with some of South Africa’s biggest musical stars, including Brenda Fassie, Sello Chicco Twala, Brothers of Peace, Bongo Maffin, and DJ Cleo. These collaborations helped cement her reputation in the music industry.

Beyond music, Khumalo also made a name for herself in acting, appearing in popular SABC television series like “Muvhango” and “Mponeng”. Her versatility and talent made her a well-respected figure in both the music and entertainment industries.

Profile Summary

Name	Winniefred Khumalo
Date Of Birth	20 July 1973
Place of Birth	Soweto, South Africa
Gender	Female
Marital Status	Single
Date of Death	January 7, 2025
Age Before Death	52 years old
Profession	Singer, songwriter, producer, actress, businesswoman
Labels	Kalawa Jazmee RecordsWinnKay Music Records
Instagram	@winnie_khumalo

Career

After taking a break from her career to focus on raising her children, Khumalo made a strong comeback to the music industry. In 2008, she released her most successful album, “I Just Wanna Live My Life”, under Kalawa Jazmee Records. The album became a gold-certified hit, and its title track, “Live My Life”, became a staple in South African house music.

However, her health struggles began to take a toll on her career. In 2010, she was diagnosed with ulcers after collapsing during a performance. Her condition worsened, and in 2013, she was hospitalized for over a month due to recurring ulcers, forcing her to put her career on hold. Over the years, she continued to suffer from stomach ulcers, chest pains, and fainting spells, which affected her ability to perform. Despite these challenges, she remained committed to her music, releasing the albums “Woman” and “Higher and Higher” in 2013.

In 2014, after spending most of her career with Kalawa Jazmee Records, Khumalo decided to leave the label and start her own record company, WinnKay Music Records & Management. She continued releasing music under her label and became a strong advocate for progress in the South African music industry. She pushed for better support for artists, more innovation in the industry, and greater unity among female musicians.

By 2019, she celebrated 31 years in the music industry with the release of her album “iXesha”, which means “time” in Xhosa. Despite her worsening health, Khumalo remained dedicated to her craft, releasing the “Intliziyo” EP and “Noluthando” in 2021.

Personal Life

Khumalo was a mother of two and lived in Protea Glen, just outside of Johannesburg. She had her first child at the age of 19, a son named Thando Thobela, with Dingaan Thobela, a former boxing champion famously known as “Rose of Soweto”. In 1996, she welcomed her daughter, Rethabile Khumalo, who would go on to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a singer-songwriter, known simply as Rethabile. Rethabile started singing and performing at age six, serving as her mother’s backing vocalist and dancer before launching her own successful career.

Death

On 7 January 2025, Khumalo passed away while being rushed to the hospital after suffering from a short illness. She was 51 years old. Following her death, South Africa’s Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture released a statement, expressing their condolences and noting that “her untimely death marks a great loss for South Africa and the music industry.”

Discography

Album

2008 – Just Wanna Live My Life

2010 – Woman

2013 – Higher and Higher

2015 – Ncgocgo Lo Mfazi

2022 – The Storm: Isivunguvungu

Singles

2012 – Bambu Muntu Wahho

2017 – Yabantu

2018 – Sdudla

2019 – Ixesha

2020 – Umuntu Wam

2021 – Loluthando

2021 – Iphakade Lami

2023 – Legend For Life