South African R&B star and songwriter, Zandile Khumalo is a talented composer, vocalist, and solo artist who has won the affection of South Africans through her music. She came to the limelight after dropping her debut album Izikhali ZamaNtungwa in 2018, which instantly became a hit.
Zandie Khumalo was born on February 15, 1993, in Thokoza East Rand, South Africa. However, just like most other celebrities, Zandie has always kept her personal life away from the media, hence, not much is known about her and her family, but what is known is that her mother’s name is Ntombifuthi. Also, there is no information on her educational background, but judging from her music one could tell that she is quite intelligent and educated.
Important Details You Didn’t Know About
1. Zandie is a sibling to South African singer, dancer, and actress Kelly Khumalo
Zandie comes from a family of stars; she is a younger sibling to the famous South African singer, dancer, and actress Kelly Khumalo. What’s more, she has been a backup singer for her older sister before she started recording her own songs.
2. She gained fame after releasing her Album Izikhali ZamaNtungwa
Zandie never enjoyed much media attention even though she has been a backup singer for her sister Kelly, until after she released her aforementioned debut album, Izikhali ZamaNtungwa in 2018. The work thrust her into the limelight after receiving wide acceptance from her fans while it enjoyed massive airplay across South Africa and other neighboring African countries.
Some of the songs in the Afrosoul album include:
- Nami ngiyali’funa
- Ungenzani
- Ngiyak’thanda
- Nangu Makoti
- Ubedlula Bonke
- Ngeke
- Makube Nguwe
- Soze
- Love Like This
- Themba
- Seng’fikile
- Grateful
- Fiesta
3. She started singing since she was a child
Zandie has always loved singing since she was a child; some said at the age of two. Back then, she never ceased any chance to sing, even while she was performing her house chores or in the bathroom.
At the initial stage, Zandie first went to the recording studio to record only for leisure. According to her, she thought she was just singing and recording for her pleasure, but ended up composing quite a beautiful song which she called Themba, and which became her first single in 2016.
Eventually, it got aired on the radio and that motivated her to do more. She then released other songs like Soze and Bittersweet, all of which got her noticed in the industry.
4. Zandie had been the Personal Stylist and Manager of her sister Kelly
Zandie’s older sister, Kelly Khumalo, has been in the music industry since 2007. Owing to this, after finishing High School, Zandie became Kelly’s personal stylist, backup singer, and manager. She has been doing so since then until mid-2017 when she started nursing the idea of pursuing a career in music after being inspired by Kelly’s achievements in the industry.
5. She is Happily Married
The Akwanele crooner is a happily married woman. She is married to her heartthrob Mhlo Hloni Gumede, who is the communications manager of Mbala Noise. The couple tied the knot on October 1, 2016, in Mgangeni, KwaZulu-Natal after they dated for a year. It was a lavished traditional ceremony, graced by several celebrities.
6. Her husband has played a key role in her Musical Career
The South African R&B singer may not have reached the height she is today without the unwavering support of her husband Mhlo Hloni Gumede, who has been helpful in the success she had in the music entertainment world.
See Also: Nandi Mbatha – 10 Facts Worth Knowing About The South African Actress
7. Zandie and her Sister Kelly are not in talking terms
Zandie and her older sister Kelly have been in a very deep feud for some time now. The unresolved differences had reached a point of no return that in February 2020, Zandie revealed her decision to divorce her older sister Kelly, also stating that she’s distancing herself because her sister is a “toxic” person, among other things. Findings revealed that their lingering dispute was about an alleged scam involving Kelly and her husband, Mhlo Gumede.
8. The famous Singer Welcomed her First Son in September 2021
The South African leading solo artist with her spouse Mhlo Gumede, Zandie have recently broken out the cheering news of the birth of their first son Zenela who was born on September 21, 2021. Meanwhile, many of her fans were amazed as the singer had kept her pregnancy a secret up until a few weeks before she was due to give birth before divulging her pregnancy status.
9. Zandie Won a Golden Award for her Song Akwanele
Warner Music Singer Zandie Khumalo was in a celebration mode owing to the success of her single hit track Akwanele which has reached gold status.
The singer was awarded her plaque for single Akwanele feat Lindani Gumede produced by her record label Songs on the Charts. The event was held at Views at Twenty5 in Durban.
10. The R&B Star recently clears the air on rumors of reconciling with her sister Kelly
Zandie Khumalo-Gumede clears the air on reconciling with Kelly. This came in October 2021 after the singer posted a picture of Kelly’s children, Christian and Thingo bonding with her son Zenala sometimes back specifically on the 17th of September 2021.
Zandie took to social media to set the record straight, reiterating that it was just a very special moment for her while she made that post, especially since her sister’s kids have been part of her pregnancy from when she was three months pregnant. Thus, she would not deny them access to their cousin, her son Zenala.
But on the other hand, she strongly maintained that the status of her relationship with her sister Kelly remains the same at the moment, as they are still very much maintaining an arm’s length with each other.
