kids encyclopedia robot

Kelly Khumalo facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Kelly Khumalo
Nonhlanhla
Kelly Khumalo.png
Khumalo on a Podcast & Chill With MacG interview
Born
Kelly Nonhlanhla Khumalo

(1984-11-11) 11 November 1984 (age 40)
Vosloorus, Gauteng, South Africa
Other names Voice of Africa
Occupation
  • Singer-songwriter
  • actress
  • TV personality
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 TV star. She was born in Vosloorus and grew up in Nquthu, KwaZulu-Natal.

Kelly was discovered when she sang at a gospel talent show. She signed a record deal and released her first album, T.K.O, in 2005. This album made her very popular. She was even named the Best Newcomer in Afro Pop music that year.

Her album The Voice of Africa (2020) mixed R&B, gospel, and Afro pop music. This album became a gold-selling hit in South Africa.

Kelly Khumalo's Music Journey

Kelly Khumalo started her music career in 2004. She has released many successful albums. Her songs often blend different styles like Afro pop, R&B, and gospel.

Early Albums and Awards

Kelly's first album, T.K.O, came out on August 19, 2005. It quickly made her a star. The album earned her two nominations at the 2006 South African Music Awards. These were for Song of the Year and Best Afro Pop Album.

Her second album, Itshitshi, was released on September 27, 2006. She continued to release music, including Siyajabula in 2007 and Simply Kelly in 2008.

Award-Winning Music

On November 5, 2012, Kelly released The Past, The Present, The Future. This album was a big success. At the 19th South African Music Awards in 2013, she won the Best Female Artist of the Year award. The album was also nominated for Album of the Year.

In October 2014, she released the song "Asine". It was nominated for Song of The Year at the Metro FM Awards in 2015. Her album Back to My Roots was also nominated for awards.

Kelly's seventh album, My Truth, came out on October 28, 2016. It won Best Female Album at the 2017 Metro FM Awards. In 2018, she released her eighth album, Unleashed.

The Voice of Africa and Recent Work

On August 28, 2020, Kelly released "Empini". This song became a huge hit. It was certified gold in South Africa and got millions of views online. Her ninth album, The Voice of Africa, was released on October 9, 2020. This album also went gold.

Another popular song from the album was "Esiphambaweni". It featured singer Hlengiwe Mhlaba and reached number one on the gospel charts. In 2021, Kelly recorded a live version of The Voice of Africa.

In April 2022, Kelly held her first Gospel Explosion Concert in Johannesburg. It was so popular that she added another show. In late 2022, she announced her From a God to a King tour. Her tenth album, also called From a God to a King, was released on February 14, 2023.

Kelly Khumalo on TV

Kelly Khumalo is also a well-known TV personality. In 2021, her own reality show, Life with Kelly Khumalo, started airing on Showmax.

She has also appeared in other TV shows. In September 2021, she was on the soapie House of Zwide. She also became a judge on Stand Up S.A. and a guest judge on Idols South Africa season 17. In 2022, she competed on Tropika Island of Treasure.

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums
Title Album details Certifications
TKO
Itshitshi
  • Released: 2006
  • Format: Digital download, CD
Siyajabula
  • Released: 2007
  • label: Universal Music South Africa
  • Format: Digital download, CD
Simply Kelly
  • Released: 2008
  • Format: Digital download, CD
The Past,The Present,The Future
  • Released: 2012
  • label: Universal Music South Africa
  • Format: Digital download, CD
Back to My Roots
  • Released: 2014
  • Format: Digital download, CD
My Truth
  • Released: 2017
  • Label: Universal Music South Africa
  • Format: Digital download, CD
Unleashed
  • Released: 2018
  • Label: Universal Music South Africa
  • Format: Digital download, CD
The Voice of Africa
  • Released: 9 October 2020
  • Label: Universal Music South Africa
  • Format: Digital download, CD, streaming
  • RISA: Gold
From a God to a King
  • Released: 14 February 2023
  • Label: Universal Music South Africa
  • Format: Digital download, CD, streaming

Singles

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
RSA
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)
  • Life with Kelly Khumalo (2021)
  • Stand Up South Africa as Judge
  • Idols South Africa as Guest Judge
  • Rhythm City" as Sunay

Awards and Nominations

Kelly Khumalo has won and been nominated for many awards throughout her career. Here are some of them:

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
Best Female Artist Cancelled
Best Collaboration Cancelled
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
kids search engine
Kelly Khumalo Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.