Kelly Khumalo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kelly Khumalo
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| Nonhlanhla | |
Khumalo during a Podcast & Chill With MacG interview
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Kelly Nonhlanhla Khumalo
11 November 1984 Vosloorus, Gauteng, South Africa
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| Other names | Voice of Africa |
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| Years active | 2004–present |
| Television | Life with Kelly Khumalo
Rhythm City Zulu Wedding |
| Partner(s) | Senzo Meyiwa (until his death; 2014) Jub Jub (until; 2011) Chad da Don |
| Children | 3 |
Kelly Nonhlanhla Khumalo (born 11 November 1984) is a famous South African singer, actress, and television personality. She is often called the "Voice of Africa" because of her powerful singing. Born in Vosloorus, she grew up in Nquthu, KwaZulu-Natal.
Khumalo's career began when she was discovered at a gospel talent show. She signed with Bonsai Entertainment and released her first album, T.K.O, in 2005. The album made her famous, and she was named the Best Newcomer in the Afro Pop music world that year.
One of her most celebrated albums, The Past, the Present, the Future, came out in 2012. It earned her a major award at the 19th South African Music Awards in 2013. Her 2020 album, The Voice of Africa, mixed R&B, gospel, and Afro pop sounds. It was very popular and was certified gold in South Africa.
Contents
Musical Career
Early Success with 'T.K.O' and 'Itshitshi'
Kelly's first album, T.K.O, was released on August 19, 2005. It was a big hit and earned her two nominations at the 2006 South African Music Awards for Song of the Year and Best Afro Pop Album.
A year later, on September 27, 2006, she released her second album, Itshitshi, continuing her success in the music industry.
Award-Winning Albums (2012–2018)
On November 5, 2012, Khumalo released the album The Past, The Present, The Future. This album was a huge success. At the 2013 South African Music Awards (SAMAs), it was nominated for several awards, and Kelly won the award for Best Female Artist of the Year.
In 2014, she released the album Back to my Roots. Its single "Asine" was nominated for Song of The Year at the Metro FM Awards. Two years later, in 2016, she released her seventh album, My Truth, which won Best Female Album at the 2017 Metro FM Awards.
Her eighth album, Unleashed, came out in 2018. It featured popular songs like "Jehovah" and "Dance Comigo".
The Voice of Africa and Recent Work
In 2020, Kelly released her ninth album, The Voice of Africa. The first single, "Empini," was a massive hit. It was certified gold, meaning it sold over 80,000 copies, and its music video has been watched millions of times. The album itself was also certified gold in South Africa.
Another song from the album, "Esiphambaweni," which featured the singer Hlengiwe Mhlaba, became the number one song on the gospel music charts.
In 2022, Kelly held her first annual Gospel Explosion Concert in Johannesburg. It was so popular that she added more dates for her fans. Later that year, she announced her From a God to a King tour and released her tenth album with the same title in February 2023.
Television Appearances
Besides music, Kelly Khumalo is also a star on television. In 2021, she launched her own reality TV show called Life with Kelly Khumalo on Showmax.
She has also acted in the TV soap opera House of Zwide and has been a judge on talent shows like Stand Up S.A and Idols South Africa. In 2022, she was a contestant on the show Tropika Island of Treasure.
Personal Life
In 2014, Kelly's boyfriend, Senzo Meyiwa, who was the captain of the South Africa national football team, was tragically killed.
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Certifications |
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| TKO |
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| Itshitshi |
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| Siyajabula |
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| Simply Kelly |
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| The Past,The Present,The Future |
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| Back to My Roots |
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| My Truth |
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| Unleashed |
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| The Voice of Africa |
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| From a God to a King |
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Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
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| Undithatha Kancani | 2019 | The Voice Of Africa | ||
| "Empini" | 2020 | 1 | 4× Platinum | |
| "Esiphambanweni" (featuring Hlengiwe Mhlaba) | 1 | 2× Platinum | ||
| "Ngathwala Ngaye" (featuring Mondli Ngcobo) | 2021 | Platinum |
Filmography
- Zulu Wedding (2017)
- uSkroef No ...: In Kgantse And Kenny's Paradise
- Life with Kelly Khumalo (2021)
- Stand Up South Africa as Judge
- Idols South Africa as Guest Judge
- Rhythm City as Sunay
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Award Ceremony | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | SAMA | Best Female Artist | Won | |
| Album of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Best African Adult Album | Nominated | |||
| Best Maskandi Album | Nominated | |||
| 2015 | 14th Metro FM Awards | Song of the Year | Nominated | |
| Best Afro Pop album | Nominated | |||
| 2019 | 25th SAMA | Female Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| Best Afro Pop Album | Nominated | |||
| 2020 | 1st KZNEA | Best Female Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2021 | 27th SAMA | Best Afro pop Album | Nominated | |
| Record of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Saafma | Best Song of the Year |  Cancelled |
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| Best Female Artist | Cancelled |
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| Best Collaboration | Cancelled |
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| 2021 | All Africa Music Awards | Songwriter of the Year | Nominated | |
| Best Female Artist in African Inspirational Music | Nominated | |||
| Best Female Artist in South Africa | Nominated | |||
| 2023 | Basadi in Music Awards | Afro Pop Artist of the Year | Won | |
| SAMA | Female Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Best Afro-pop Album | Nominated | |||
| 2024 | Basadi in Music Awards | Sofnfree Afro Pop Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| Best Styled Artist of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Music Video of the Year | Nominated |
