The independent and spirited Khumalo released her debut album, Hey Laiti, in 1988. While she was given recognition by the industry for her impressive vocal abilities, she also had to endure some criticism from people who said she copied Brenda Fassie, with whom she was working.
Few people really know who Khumalo is. That is because for many years she lived in the shadow of the legendary Fassie, for whom she was a backing vocalist. She also doubled up as a filler whenever the pop icon was not able to make it on stage.
Khumalo does not mind in the least if she is compared to Fassie.
“I learnt more about music while I was with Brenda Fassie than I learnt anywhere else.
“She was my mentor and role model,” Khumalo says.
Khumalo pays tribute to Fassie on her album Happy Day, which she released last year.
In a song titled Ngikujongile, Khumalo appeals to people to stop fighting over Fassie’s estate and royalties.
“Whenever someone dies people fight over the deceased’s belongings instead of mourning. We should be ashamed of ourselves,” Khumalo complains.
On Happy Day, her voice is full and powerful.
She sings with that alluring purr that gives a hint of everything she’s got.
After taking a long break from the music industry, she joined Kalawa Jazmee Records five years ago.
The album opens with a house tune titled Drift Away. The song will take you down memory lane. Khumalo wrote the song herself, to tell people that she has made a decision to drift away from her old lifestyle.
She sings that she wants to climb new heights, where she wants to live her life to the full.
The 36-year-old believes that her new album will take the industry by storm.
“This album is what the music industry has been missing. The songs will take you to church, to wedding ceremonies, to clubs and to parties like there is no tomorrow,” she says confidently.
Khumalo says Kalawa Jazmee Records also wanted her to sing gospel music, but she felt she is not ready for it.
“I am not spiritually ready to commit to gospel music yet. I have a lot of sins to deal with. I do not want to be a fake like some gospel artists who are saturating the industry,” she says.
Her gospel tunes were produced by Sipho Mbele who works with gospel divas Deborah Fraser and Hlengiwe Mhlaba. And Khumalo delivers her messages like an angel from heaven.
She has a son with former world boxing champion Dingaan Thobela and a daughter with her ex-husband, the former bubble- gum musician Seabee of Thiba fame.
While she took a break from music, Khumalo busied herself with business.
She has also appeared in the TV drama Muvhango, featured on the Brothers Of Peace album Life iskoroko, and in Chicco Twala’s low-budget movie, My sh*t father and my lotto ticket.
Hero
Winnie Khumalo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Full of ups and downs
Yes like a season
Beats for sure and fairly
Life oh life
Full of ups and downs
Yes like a season
You are worth it
You are beautiful
No no, never look down on upon yourself
No matter what they say
Jealousy
You are worth it
You are beautiful
No no, never look down on upon yourself
Show you are the one
Take one step at a time
No matter what they say or do
You are your own hero
You are your own hero
Take one step at a time
No matter what they say or do
You are your own hero
You are your own hero
Oh life
Is just life
But you have to make it amazing
And worth it to live
Oh life
Is just life
But you have to make it amazing
And worth it to live (Sho)
Sho
I seat back
But I never relax
Nginokuthula ngibheke
Sometimes ngishawe ingebhe
Kodwa ngithi awu ngeke ngidembesele
Angiqhubeke
Angiphikelele, angibekezele
Ne-Oulady lingithandazele
Lith'angibe nesineke
Angizimisele
IKwaito ingigqugquzele
Ikasi lami lingijabulele (Ohhhh)
Abalandeli bangifudumeze
Bekuyiphupho kodwa azange lizizele (Ohhh)
Uyangithola ngithini
Uyangithola ngithini (Ohhh)
IKwaito ingigqugquzele (Ohhh)
Ikasi lami lingijabulele (Ohhh)
Abalandeli bangifudumeze (Take one step at a time)
No matter what they say or do) Oooh
(You are your own hero) Hero
(You are your own hero) Hero, hero
(Take one step at a time) You're worth it
(No matter what they say or do) You're worth it
(You are your own hero) Hero
(You are your own hero) Hero, hero
No matter what they say
No matter what they say to you
Never look down upon yourself
Never look down upon yourself
Hero
Hero
Hero
Ohhhh
Ohhhh
"Winnie Khumalo's song Hero" is an uplifting song that emphasizes self-acceptance and self-esteem. The lyrics suggest that one has to embrace both the highs and lows of life and also be one's hero. According to the lyrics, life is full of ups and downs, and one has to take one step at a time, even if people say or do something. Winnie emphasizes that each person is unique and beautiful in their way and should always embrace who they are. This song tells the listener to appreciate oneself and not let anyone undermine one's worth based on envy or jealousy.
Winnie's song Hero emphasizes the importance of individuality, self-care, and acceptance. The song's lyrics serve as a reminder that no matter what one goes through in life, one has to embrace it and make the most of it. It is essential to understand that life is a journey full of challenges and that being one's own hero is a must. One should make their life amazing and worth living even when it is tough, and one should never allow anyone to dim their spark.
Line by Line Meaning
Life oh life
Life is full of ups and downs, just like a season. It has its good beats and bad beats, but still moves on fairly.
You are worth it
You are valuable and hold worth. You are beautiful, and should never allow anyone's words or actions to make you think otherwise.
No no, never look down on upon yourself
Despite what people say or do, it is important to always value and respect oneself, and never allow any kind of self-doubt or negative thoughts to creep in.
Take one step at a time
It is important to take things slow and steady, and not be impacted by external forces. One should focus on their own journey and move ahead at their own pace.
You are your own hero
No one but oneself can be their own hero. It is important to believe in oneself and take control of one's own path in order to achieve success.
Oh life
Life is just that - life. It is up to each individual to make it amazing and meaningful, and strive to live it to the fullest.
Sho
An exclamation of agreement and understanding, often used to show support.
IKwaito ingigqugquzele
A reference to Kwaito music, a South African genre known for its upbeat rhythms and catchy melodies, which inspires the singer.
Ikasi lami lingijabulele (Ohhhh)
The singer's love for their hometown, which brings them joy and inspires them to create music.
Abalandeli bangifudumeze
Despite facing criticism and negativity from others, the singer remains dedicated to their dreams and aspirations, never giving up.
Uyangithola ngithini
A rhetorical question asking what the critic has to offer the singer, and what they have accomplished themselves.
Hero
A repeated exclamation, emphasizing the importance of one being their own hero and taking control of their own life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sipho Zulu
on Kulezontaba
Wathi uyahamba ubheke eGoli [You said you were leaving to Joburg]
Kwandonga ziyaduma [to the roaring mountains]
Wathi ngik’bambel’inhliziyo yakho [You said I should hold your heart]
Wen’uzobuya [You would come back]
Manje ukuphi na? [Where are you now]
Ngoba ngiyak’dinga [Because I need you]
Ngizothatha ibhasi yasekuseni [I’ll take the morning bus]
Ngizokufuna lapho [to look for you there]
Ezintabeni zaseGoli [In the Joburg mountains]
Refrain
Kuleziya ntaba bangisithele isithandwa sami [In those mountains they have my sweetheart out of sight]
Kuleziya ntaba bangifihlele ulavi wami [In those mountains they have hidden my love]
Uyakhumbula mhla ngiyokha amanzi [Do you remember the day I went to fetch some water]
Wangibamba ngesandla wenz’isethembiso [You held my hand and made a promise]
Wathi ngeke ungilahle [You said you’d never leave me]
Wathi sofa silahlane [You said death would do us apart]
Manje awusekho lana la [Now you are no longer here]
Manje ilelo Goli [it’s (because) of that Joburg]
Wathath’inhliziyo yami [You took/stole my heart]
Wathi uzobuya kodwa manje awusekho [You said you’d come back but now you are no more]
Refrain
Mina ngiyak’khumbula! [I miss you]
Mina ngiyak’dinga! [I need you]
KwaNdonga Ziyaduma, eGoli! [in the rumbling mountains, in Joburg]