Khumalo's last official performance was on Cleo's radio show.
“I feel pain for the children because of her relationship with them. They were close, they were like friends,” DJ Cleo said. The Citizenreminiscing about the late Winnie Khumalo.
Khumalo passed away on Tuesday afternoon on the way to hospital, family representative Tshepi Akepil told SABC News on Tuesday.
“It was her daughter who came to pick her up at the house so she could take her to the hospital. She tried to help. Unfortunately, she passed away on the way to the hospital. When they arrived , they are [medical staff] She was declared brought dead,” Akipile asserted.
On Wednesday morning, Khumalo's family released a statement that was also shared by his daughter Lesabile.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Khumalo, who passed away from us on January 7th after a short illness,” the statement read.
Also read: Winnie Khumalo, 51, dies on the way to hospital
child actor winnie
Cleo described Khumalo as a giant and said her death was a great loss.
“I see some stupid people on social media saying, 'Rest in peace, one-hit wonder,' and I look at it and think, these people are just here and they don't know anything. ”
Cleo, 45, said she used to listen to Kumalo when she was 13 years old. “We grew up on her music. Tyra is loved by today's youth. Winnie was her first hit for us, Hi, Lighty”
Just Tuesday, hours before Khumalo's death was confirmed, Cleo shared a post of the singer with her daughter announcing that Khumalo was going to a concert. escareni party This coming Friday.
This Friday, #escareniparty pic.twitter.com/tWOyvw4l9Z
— #EscareniParty (@djcleo1) January 7, 2025
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Winnie's last performance
Khumalo's last official performance was on Radio 2000's Cleo show. Eshaleni Party, It is broadcast every Friday night.
“In fact, she didn't want to play the first single (Hi, Lighty). I told her that I'm not a Winnie Khumalo fan, but people like us who grew up listening to that song love it,'' Cleo said.
“I had a busy schedule in December, so I pre-recorded it, and I recorded the performance around November.”
Cleo said she had hoped to broadcast the interview and performance with Khumalo in late December, but Khumalo was in hospital at the time.
“I spoke to her in December when she was in the hospital. The performance was scheduled to air on December 27th, so I called her around December 22nd.”
Cleo, whose real name is Cleopas Monyepao, said this Friday's show will be a tribute to the late singer.
Since joining Radio 2000 in 2024, Cleo has offered the station's listeners a different feel to the Radio 2000 Friday night radio experience through live performances by various artists on the show.
The focus has been on shining a spotlight on veteran artists who may not be as well-received as they were at the peak of their careers.
“I've always said, 'I'm going to give you flowers while I'm still alive.' I think I've done about 30 performances so far, and only a few are young artists, most of them are legends. .”
Other veteran artists who performed at Cleo's show include Afropop singer Ntando, Malaika Tsedi, Joe Nina, singer Kanyo and Kuwaiti artist Thebe.
“The same show will take place at the Escareni party this Friday, but the first hour will probably be dedicated to her,” Cleo said.
He added that he would be contacting singer Zonke, who wrote Khumalo's last biggest hit. live my lifefor a program interview.
ALSO READ: 'She's fighting for her life': Rehabilitation Khumalo hospitalized on suspicion of poisoning
reinvent yourself
Cleo said there is a lot that today's young artists can learn from Khumalo, who started his career as a child actor and faded out after a while.
“She came into the industry very young. She grew up, had kids, things didn't work out for a while, but she was able to get back into the industry,” Cleo said.
Cleo said she met Khumalo on a flight to Germany around 2005, when Khumalo was a backing vocalist for Zonke and Bongo Muffin.
Cleo said Khumalo provided her vocals to some of his hit songs. Sisi Gamba Nawe.
Overall, Cleo said she and Khumalo have a good relationship despite their tumultuous relationship. “She's the only artist who knows where I live. She's been to my house.”
Khumalo's family said in a statement that details of her memorial service will be shared in due course.
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