Kelly Khumalo, a South African singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer, was discovered while performing in a gospel talent search in Nquthu, KwaZulu-Natal. After signing a record deal with Bomsai Entertainment, she released her debut studio album T.K.O. (2005).
In 2005, after the release of her debut album, T.K.O., she received the Afro Pop music industry award for Best Newcomer.
That same year, on November 5, 2012, the album The Past, The Present, The Future was released. She won the 19th South African Music Awards in May 2013.
Elements of R&B, Afro-pop, and Gospel were introduced in The Voice of Africa, Khumalo’s tenth album, released in 2020. South Africa awarded the album a gold certification.
Kelly Khumalo Biography
| Full Name: | Kelly Nonhlanhla Khumalo |
| Stage Name: | Kelly Khumalo, The Voice Of Africa |
| Born: | 11 November 1984 |
| Place of Birth: | Vosloorus, South Africa |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Education: | N/A |
| Height: | 1.65 m |
| Parents: | Ntombi Khumalo |
| Siblings: | Zandie Khumalo, Gail Khumalo |
| Spouse: | Not Married |
| Boyfriend • Partner: | Molemo ‘Jub Jub’ Maarohanye (ex.), Senzo Meyiwa (ex.), Chad Da Don (ex.), Mthokozisi Yende (rum.) |
| Children: | Thingo Meyiwa Khumalo, Christian Maarohanye Khumalo |
| Occupation: | Singer • Actress |
Early Life
Kelly Nonhlanhla Khumalo (born November 11, 1984, 41 years old) is from Katlehong, South Africa. Her mother, Ntombi Khumalo, played a significant role in her upbringing alongside her two sisters, Zandie Khumalo and Gail Khumalo.. In 1997, she moved to Gauteng.
Career
Discovered in 2003 during a gospel talent search, the highly talented musician Kelly Khumalo quickly rose to prominence. Securing a recording deal with Bonsai Entertainment, she released her debut studio album, T.K.O., in 2005, which achieved significant commercial success. This marked the beginning of Khumalo‘s influential journey in South African music, solidifying her position as a leading figure in the industry.
The South African music industry honored Kelly with two nominations for Song of the Year and Best Afro Pop Album for her debut solo album T.K.O., which was released on August 19, 2005.
Her second studio album, Itshitshi, was released on September 27, 2006. Back to My Roots (2014), My Truth (2016), The Past, The Present, and The Future (2012), Unleashed (2016), and the 2018 The Past, The Present, The Future album were made available in South Africa on November 5, 2012.
Her album, The Past, The Present, The Future, received the Best Female Artist of the Year award at the 19th SAMA Awards (2013).
Asine, a song from her album Back to My Roots, was released in October 2014 and nominated for Song of the Year at the Metro FM Awards (2015) as well as Best African Adult Album at the South African Music Awards XXXI (2015).
In March 2016, Kelly started work on her seventh studio album. Her seventh studio album, My Truth, was released on October 28, 2016. At the 2017 Metro FM Awards, My Truth was named Best Female Album.
Kelly started working on her eighth studio album in January 2018. On July 9, 2018, she released the album’s lead single, Jehovah, which features J F.L.O.
She revealed her second song, Dance Comigo, on her Instagram account on October 9, and it was released on October 12, 2018.
In South Africa, her album Unleashed was made available on November 5, 2018. Mondli Ngcobo produced the record. Gospel Explosion Concert, The Voice of Africa, 2020-present
The debut song from her album, Empini, was released on August 28. The Recording Industry of South Africa awarded the song a gold certification after it sold 80,000 units and received 12 million YouTube views.
The Voice of Africa, her ninth studio album, was released on October 9, 2020. Mondli Ngcobo was in charge of production.
With sales of 25,000 units in South Africa, The Voice of Africa received a gold certification. Her song “Empini” garnered a nomination for Best Female Artist in South Africa at the 6th All Africa Music Awards ceremony.
The gospel music chart’s highest point was reached by Esiphambaweni, which included South African singer Hlengiwe Mhlaba.
The Voice of Africa received a nomination for Best Afro-pop Album at the 27th South African Music Awards. She recorded the live edition of The Voice of Africa in November 2021.
Khumalo performed at her inaugural annual Gospel Explosion Concert in April 2022, which took place over two nights on April 15 and 16 at Johannesburg’s Lyric Theatre. After two successful dates, she added a third one in April that will take place in Vaal on May 28.
Television
She began filming episodes of her Showmax reality series Life with Kelly Khumalo in 2021. She made an appearance in the etv show House of Zwide in September 2021. Khumalo was named a judge for Stand Up SA in September 2021.
She served as a special judge on Idols South Africa season 17 around the end of 2021. She was confirmed as a contestant on Tropika Island of Treasure, season 10, at the beginning of April 2022.
Controversies
At her family’s Vosloorus house on October 26, 2014, her partner Senzo Meyiwa, the captain of the South Africa men’s national football team and club team Orlando Pirates with whom she had a kid, was fatally murdered in front of her.
Khumalo is said to have known the shooter, as well as everyone else in the room, but she has stayed mute about their identity. There was no material discovered that connects the murder case.
Personal life
After coming forward about being in an abusive relationship, Kelly Nonhlanhla Khumalo started advocating against domestic abuse in 2012.
During her relationship with the musician Molemo Maarohanye, the singer admitted to abusing drugs for at least two years. During that time, she attended Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
Kelly Khumalo Net Worth
Kelly Khumalo is a South African singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer, with an estimated net worth of $2 million.
Social Media
With over 1m followers on Instagram, Kelly can’t be found with the username @kellykhumaloza
People Also Ask for FAQs
What is the Net Worth of Kelly Khumalo?
Kelly Khumalo is a South African singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer, with an estimated net worth of $2 million.
Who is Kelly Khumalo Dating?
Kelly Khumalo keeps his personal and love life private, but in the past, she was in an abusive relationship with Molemo Maarohanye.
