Winnie Khumalo passed away at the age of 31. Picture: File.
Tributes continue to pour in for South African musician Winnie Khumalo, who died, aged 51, on Tuesday, January 7, following a short illness.
Khumalo’s career began in the 1980s when she worked as a backup singer for the likes of Branda Fassie.
With the experience she gained in the industry, she took a leap of faith and went solo.
She rose to fame in 2008 after dropping her hit single, “Live My Life”.
This song, which made waves and dominated charts, was one of the most played not only on radio stations but also on jukeboxes.
Her music has been such an inspiration to many South Africans that 24 years after “Live My Life” had been released, people still go crazy when they hear it.
Last year, Khanda Cool said: “I'm genuinely surprised by how much non-black folks love Winnie Khumalo's 'Live My Life', lol. DJ played it and the white and Indian folk lost it!”
Khumalo was a beacon of hope to the community of Mofolo North, Soweto, where she grew up.
I remember how my older cousins, who went to the same high school, Mncube High School, as her, used to brag that their school produced a celebrity.
Those were interesting times because they were happy to see the person they grew up with making waves on television.
Although she didn’t win awards that year, the township was proud of her because “Live My Life” granted her a spot on Channel O Music Awards and was nominated for Best Dance Video and Best Afro Pop Video.
Written by Zonke, Khumalo, Wakes Zondeka, Oskido and Bruce Sebitlo, “Live My Life” lifted so many spirits because she spoke about reinventing herself and never giving up.
She also spoke about forging forward no matter how hard it gets because the more you grow, the more you realise how tough life is.
Also, showing gratitude to her grandmother by thanking her for all the teachings and love is what resonated with so many people, especially those raised by their grandparents.
“Your song ‘Live My Life’ is still relevant even today. Winnie Khumalo is a mother of a beautiful daughter who sings beautifully by the name of Rethabile Khumalo. Lala Ngoxolo mama [rest in peace mama],” wrote MalumeAphe51715.
As tributes pour in for the singer, most are grateful that she passed the baton to her daughter, who also has a powerful voice and was featured on DJ Zinhle’s hit single, “Umlilo”.