She has been in and out of hospital for the past three years after being diagnosed with sugar diabetes. Recently, she fell ill and doctors confirmed she also had asthma. Veteran singer, Winnie Khumalo (51) had been well for over a month and recovered well from the short breath caused by asthma. On the morning of 7 January, her family confirmed the singer passed away on the way to the hospital.
The Khumalo family confirmed the passing of the Soweto-born singer.”It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Winnie Khumalo, who left us on 7 January 2025 after a short illness.” The family said the singer affectionately known as Dwinky Dwinky in the 80s brought Joy to many,” he said. “Her loss leaves a void that will be deeply felt by her family, friends, and fans alike.”
Winnie’s son Thando said, his mother had been well, despite being in and out of hospitals, and the sudden illness came as a shock. “She had recovered from the asthma, she was doing okay, and had not complained about being ill. I don’t know what happened. But I guess she was tired of being ill all the time.” A friend said she often spoke about “waiting on her day to come, and just wanting to be prepared,” the friend told Buzz Life News. “She was sick and saw her peers in the music industry pass on, she is in a better place now. No more pain of falling ill. She lived a beautiful life and loved her family and children.”
The award-winning singer started her career in the early 80’s and was the backing vocalist for Brenda Fassie. At the age of 15 years old, she released the album Hey Laitie, Tshina Tshina, produced by Sello Chicco Twala, followed by her album titled Dlamini. In 1990, she also recorded a gospel album titled Izono Zami produced by Pastor Langa Dube. Winnie has also worked with the likes of Pure Magic, Sipho Mbele, Brothers of Peace (B.O.P), Bongo Maffin, Zonke Dikana, and DJ Cleo, Zola 7, and many more before taking a break from the music business. When she returned in 2008, she also pursued an acting career and appeared on Muvhango and Mponeng. She released the album titled I Just Wanna Live My Life, produced and distributed by Kalawa Jazzmee Record’s Oscar “Oskido” Mdlongwa. The video for I Just Wanna Live My Life was nominated for Best Dance Video and Best Afro Pop Video at the Channel O Music Awards. It was also nominated as one of the top five nominees at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs). Her daughter Rethabile made her debut on Idols SA however, she was too young to go further but later made a name for herself, following her mother’s footsteps.
Bongi Sikelo 