Biography & Career Of Zandie Khumalo

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Biography & Career Of Zandie Khumalo

Zandie Khumalo is a talented singer and songwriter from South Africa. She is the younger sister of another renowned singer, Kelly Khumalo, and has carved her niche in the music industry.

She has released albums and singles and has won prestigious awards for her work. She is also a philanthropist who supports various causes such as education, women’s empowerment, and anti-xenophobia.

Early Life & Education

Zandie Khumalo was born on February 22, 1988, in Nquthu, a small town in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.

She is the second child of Ntombi Khumalo and Sipho Khumalo, both teachers. She has an older sister, Kelly Khumalo, a famous singer. She also has two half-siblings, Thingo and Christian, from her father’s side.

Zandie attended Nquthu High School. After matriculation, she enrolled at the Durban University of Technology, where she obtained a diploma in travel and tourism.

She continued pursuing her passion for music and performed at various events and festivals.

Personal Life

Zandie Khumalo is happily married to Mhlo Gumede, a music producer and manager. After dating for two years, the couple tied the knot in a traditional ceremony in November 2019.

They met through their mutual friend and colleague, Vusi Nova, a singer. Zandie and Mhlo share a strong bond and support each other’s careers. They also collaborate on some of their musical projects.

Zandie has a daughter named Nandi, born in 2010 from a previous relationship. She is a loving and devoted mother and often shares pictures and videos of her daughter on her social media accounts.

She also tries to balance her work and family life and spends quality time with her husband and daughter.

Career

Zandie Khumalo started her professional career as a backup singer for her sister, Kelly Khumalo, in 2007.

She accompanied her sister on several tours and shows and featured on some of her songs. She also worked with other artists such as Robbie Malinga, Sfiso Ncwane, and Zahara.

She gained recognition and appreciation for her vocal skills and stage presence and decided to pursue a solo career.

She released her debut single, Ngiyak’thanda, in 2016, a love song dedicated to her then-boyfriend. The song was well-received by the listeners and critics and established her as a promising artist.

She followed it up with another single, Nangu Makoti, in 2017, a wedding song inspired by her relationship. The song was a huge hit and became one of the most-played songs on the radio and TV.

2017, she signed a record deal with Warner Music South Africa and released her debut album, Izikhali ZamaNtungwa, in 2018. The album was a fusion of Afro-pop, soul, and gospel, showcasing her versatility and creativity.

The album featured 12 tracks, including the singles Ngiyak’thanda, Nangu Makoti, and Bittersweet. The album was a commercial and critical success, earning her several nominations and awards.

She released her second album, Iphupho Lami, in 2020, a blend of different genres and styles. The album featured 10 tracks, including the singles Akwanele, Ungenzani, and Seng’fikile.

The album was also well-received by fans and critics and cemented her position as one of the leading female artists in South Africa.

She has collaborated with artists like Vusi Nova, Mondli Ngcobo, Lindani Gumede, and Nokwazi. She has performed at various events and festivals, such as the Macufe Festival, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, the Durban July, and the South African Music Awards. She has also toured internationally and performed in Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and the UK.

Awards

Zandie Khumalo has won several awards for her music, such as:

Best Afro Pop Album at the 25th South African Music Awards 2019 for her album Izikhali ZamaNtungwa.
Best Female Artist at the 4th Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards in 2019 for her song Nangu Makoti.
Best Afro Pop Artist at the 3rd Ingoma Awards in 2019.
Best Afro Pop Album at the 16th Metro FM Music Awards in 2017 for her song Ngiyak’thanda.

Controversy

Zandie Khumalo has faced some controversy and drama in her career, such as:

In 2020, she announced cutting ties with her sister, Kelly Khumalo, after a dispute over a contract with a music promoter.

She accused her sister of being selfish and dishonest and said she no longer wanted to be associated with her.

She also said she was changing her surname to Gumede after her husband. She later apologized to her sister and the public and said she acted out of anger and frustration.

In 2019, she was accused of stealing the song Akwanele from another singer, Nomfundo Moh. She denied the allegations, and said that she had bought the song from a producer, who had the rights to sell it.

She also said she had no idea someone else had already recorded the song and was willing to settle the matter amicably.

In 2018, she was involved in a physical altercation with a woman who claimed to be the girlfriend of her ex-boyfriend. She alleged that the woman had attacked her at a hotel and that she had defended herself.

She also said that the woman was lying and trying to tarnish her image. She filed a case of assault against the woman and also obtained a restraining order against her.