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.
Kulezontaba
Winnie Khumalo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Goli kandonga zyaduma wath ngimbambel inhlizinyo yakho wen uzobuye kumanj ukuth ngob ngyakuding ngzogibel ibus laseksen ngyokubheka
The lyrics of Winnie Khumalo's Kulezontaba describe a relationship where one partner feels they have been misled or let down by the other. The line “Wath uyahamba ubhek e Goli kandonga zyaduma” suggests that the partner is out and about, possibly enjoying themselves while the other partner is left at home feeling neglected. The next line, “wath ngimbambel inhlizinyo yakho wen” implies that the partner being left behind is pleading with the other to stay or return to them.
The lyrics then take a turn as the one who has been neglected threatens to leave the relationship, saying “uzobuye kumanj ukuth ngob ngyakuding ngzogibel ibus laseksen ngyokubheka” which means that they will leave and find someone who will appreciate them, even if it means they have to look for love in another town.
The song highlights the struggle to maintain and nurture meaningful relationships, particularly when one partner feels neglected or forgotten. Despite the pain and hurt that these experiences can bring, the song implies that there is always hope for new love and a brighter future, should one have the courage to take that leap.
Line by Line Meaning
Wath uyahamba ubhek e
You were walking and staring at the towering mountains
Goli kandonga zyaduma wath
The sun was setting as you walked
ngimbambel inhlizinyo yakho
Tightly clenching your teeth
wen uzobuye kumanj ukuth
You're going to do whatever it takes
ngob ngyakuding ngzogibel ibus laseksen
Even if it means carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders
ngyokubheka
I will watch over you
Contributed by Sophia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sipho Zulu
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]