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.
Umuhle Njalo
Winnie Khumalo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bath'ufuna imali yami
Bayakhuluma
Bath'ungenza isiphukuphuku
Abakwaz'ongenzele khona (Eeh khona)
Abakwaz'ongikhiphe kukho (Eeh kuyo)
Abakwaz'ongenzele khona (Eeh khona)
Empilweni yami uyohlal'uliqhawe
Konk'okubi mina ngokukhohlwa
Ngoba umuhle njalo
Umuhle njalo
Empilweni yami uyohlal'uliqhawe
Konk'okubi mina ngokukhohlwa
Ngoba umuhle njalo
Umuhle njalo
Ubukho bakho benz'indoda ithandeke
Ubukho bakho benz'indoda ihlonitshwe
Ubukho bakho benz'indoda ithandeke
Ubukho bakho benz'indoda ihlonitshwe
Hayi mina
Ndiyohlala ndizitshela, hey
Hayi mina
Ndiyohlala ndibathela, hey
Hayi mina
Ndiyohlala ndizitshela, hey
Hayi mina
Ndiyohlala ndibathela, hey
Empilweni yami uyohlal'uliqhawe
Konk'okubi mina ngokukhohlwa
Ngoba umuhle njalo
Umuhle njalo
Empilweni yami uyohlal'uliqhawe
Konk'okubi mina ngokukhohlwa
Ngoba umuhle njalo
Umuhle njalo
Hayi mina
Hayi mina
Hayi mina
Hayi mina
Ndiyohlala ndibathela, hey
Empilweni yami uyohlal'uliqhawe
Konk'okubi mina ngokukhohlwa
Ngoba umuhle njalo
Umuhle njalo
Empilweni yami uyohlal'uliqhawe
Konk'okubi mina ngokukhohlwa
Ngoba umuhle njalo
Umuhle njalo
In Winnie Khumalo's song "Umuhle Njalo", the singer addresses the people who are constantly talking about her and her wealth, indicating that they are only after her money. She also speaks to those who want to bring her down, aiming to tarnish her reputation. The repetition of the line "Bayakhuluma Bath'ufuna imali yami" emphasizes this point, with "Bayakhuluma" translating to "They are talking" in English, "Bath'ufuna imali yami" meaning "They want my money". She further expresses her disappointment with those who are only friends with her for the material benefits that come with this friendship. She knows that these people will never be truly happy for her or even support her.
The powerful chorus, "Empilweni yami uyohlal'uliqhawe, Konk'okubi mina ngokukhohlwa, Ngoba umuhle njalo" which translates to "In my life I will stay strong, Even though it is hard for me, Because I am always beautiful", is a reminder to herself to stay strong in the face of adversity and not let anyone bring her down.
Overall, the song speaks to the theme of betrayal and fake friendships, reminding listeners to focus on real connections and not be distracted by material things.
Line by Line Meaning
Bayakhuluma
They are talking
Bath'ufuna imali yami
They say they want my money
Bayakhuluma
They are talking
Bath'ungenza isiphukuphuku
They are causing trouble for me
Abakwaz'ongenzele khona (Eeh khona)
Those who cannot help me (Oh, right there)
Abakwaz'ongikhiphe kukho (Eeh kuyo)
Those who cannot give me any money (Oh, over there)
Abakwaz'ongenzele khona (Eeh khona)
Those who cannot help me (Oh, right there)
Abakwaz'ongikhiphe kukho (Eeh kuyo)
Those who cannot give me any money (Oh, over there)
Empilweni yami uyohlal'uliqhawe
In my life, I will always remain strong
Konk'okubi mina ngokukhohlwa
No matter the situation, I won't get lost
Ngoba umuhle njalo
Because beauty is always within me
Umuhle njalo
Beauty is always within me
Ubukho bakho benz'indoda ithandeke
Your presence makes a man fall in love
Ubukho bakho benz'indoda ihlonitshwe
Your presence commands respect from men
Ubukho bakho benz'indoda ithandeke
Your presence makes a man fall in love
Ubukho bakho benz'indoda ihlonitshwe
Your presence commands respect from men
Hayi mina
Not me
Ndiyohlala ndizitshela, hey
I will always tell them, hey
Hayi mina
Not me
Ndiyohlala ndibathela, hey
I will always push them away, hey
Hayi mina
Not me
Ndiyohlala ndizitshela, hey
I will always tell them, hey
Hayi mina
Not me
Ndiyohlala ndibathela, hey
I will always push them away, hey
Hayi mina
Not me
Empilweni yami uyohlal'uliqhawe
In my life, I will always remain strong
Konk'okubi mina ngokukhohlwa
No matter the situation, I won't get lost
Ngoba umuhle njalo
Because beauty is always within me
Umuhle njalo
Beauty is always within me
Hayi mina
Not me
Hayi mina
Not me
Hayi mina
Not me
Hayi mina
Not me
Ndiyohlala ndibathela, hey
I will always push them away, hey
Empilweni yami uyohlal'uliqhawe
In my life, I will always remain strong
Konk'okubi mina ngokukhohlwa
No matter the situation, I won't get lost
Ngoba umuhle njalo
Because beauty is always within me
Umuhle njalo
Beauty is always within me
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]