Family, dignitaries and fellow industry peers gathered at the Market Theatre on Wednesday, January 15, to celebrate the life of award-winning singer and actress, Winnie Khumalo.
The music icon, known for her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence, passed away at the age of 51 on Tuesday, January 7, after a brief illness.
Media personality Somizi Mhlongo co-hosted the memorial with charismatic MC and content creator, Sabelo “Ntombeningi” Sithole.
Mhlongo, known for his heartfelt tributes, took a moment to reflect on the impact of Khumalo’s passing, particularly on her children, Rethabile and Thabo Khumalo.
Speaking about death, Mhlongo said that as he has grown older he feels differently about it.
“It’s a transition, it’s inevitable. One thing that’s guaranteed in life, is death, but it is not the end, it is the beginning of a new chapter, that’s how I see it.
“Winnie was always bubbly, warm, energetic, so let us celebrate her like that. To Rethabile and your brother, what people never warned us about is the impact of losing a mother ...
“Let me tell you, nothing will ever be the same again, time does not heal, time just makes it better.
“You must remember that it’s natural for you to cry in 20 years time as you did today. It’s natural and it’s okay, and nobody should tell you how long you should mourn your mother. You must mourn as much as you can.”
He advised the family to stay together as much as possible.
“Once you lose a mother, you will realise that she was the glue of the family.”
Among those who spoke at the service was Jeff Radebe, the former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, who fondly remembered how Winnie captivated audiences since the 1990s
“Winnie was known as a very dynamic, young musician, dancer and entertainer since the 1990s. As a new music lover and enthusiast myself, I had been following her booming career in music from a distance.
“I had always been highly impressed by her deep understanding of the mood of young people of our land and this was very evident by the large fan-base that she had garnered over the years,” he said.
Radebe said his first interaction with Winnie was in December 2008 when she was asked to sing on a demo tape, which was used to unite the African National Congress (ANC) after some of its members left to form the break-away party, Congress of the People (COPE).
“When she performed at the gathering, the crowd went wild and she was on fire. Since that performance and song, it has become a signature tune for the ANC election campaigns even today ...
“Winnie came at a very critical time in the ANC and she rose to the occasion. I will always cherish those rare moments of Winnie, who showed high tempo when we needed her the most.”
He concluded that Winnie made a decisive contribution not only to the people of South Africa who loved her music but also to the ANC.
Emotions surged as legendary musician Sello “Chicco” Twala shared a heart-warming memory of their last encounter, which was two days before her untimely death.
“We were laughing, there was no signs of sickness, nothing ... She was like a sister to me, I met her when she was 14-years-old. What a singer, what a dancer. I always told her that Brenda Fassie should watch out.”
He assured Winnie’s children of his unwavering support.
“We must always be there, even after today. Me, I am always here.”
In a testament to Winnie’s impact, DJ Oskido, Market Theatre COO, Lekgetho Makola, and a representative from the Independent Music Performance Rights Association (IMPRA), also shared tributes, solidifying her influence in the South African music landscape.
As the memorial drew to a close, it was clear that Winnie’s vibrant spirit would forever remain etched in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing her.
Watch the full memorial below.