Guest Author 
Oscar. H Blayton
Bunmi Adekunle
CareTaker 
Codrin Arsene
Aba Boy
Dave O'Cube
Don Thieme
Emmanuel.K. Bensah
Ella Romanos
Charles E.
Misi A.
Nzingha Smith
K A-T
Pamela Stitch
Paul Usungu
Sokari Ekine
Samantha Ofole-Price
Tomas Ernst
Thomas Gowans
Ugo Daniels
Veronica Henry
Vic 
Oluwole Akindutire
Xcroc 
William J. Zick
Up Close and Personal With Kelly Khumalo
Muti This
Kelly Khumalo, our South African songstress burst into the limelight during the Cruz gospel concert in 2003, where she wowed the crowd with the gospel song, U Jesu’ phakeme (Jesus is Almighty). From there, all knew that Kelly Khumalo was here to stay. Kelly’s song from her first cd, Qinisela, is still having heavy play on many African radio stations and I knew that I just had to speak to this woman who easily mixes afro pop with house and a little bit of gospel.
Meet Kelly Khumalo South African Afro pop songbird:
Pammy: How did you get your first big break into music?
Kelly: I was one of the finalists at a gospel competition and I was fortunate enough that one of the judges was a producer. After, the competition, he looked for me and asked me to join his label – which I did. The rest is history.
Pammy: From what I heard – your participation in that competition was controversial?
Kelly: Yes. I dressed in a way that was not acceptable to the Christian community – bikini and jeans. So that was the big controversy. But I still came third though.
Pammy: How many cds do you have?
Kelly: Three (3) albums out right now. TKO, Itshitshi, Siyajabula.
Pammy: How have they been doing in South Africa?
Kelly: They have been doing very well. The first and second went gold respectively. We have sold a couple of tens of thousands of the third one and we’ve only been out 3 weeks.
Pammy: Your new cd has a gospel track in it and I know that you are a Christian. Do you find it difficult mixing religion and music?
Kelly: Personally, I do not find it difficult. I believe God gave me a talent so I can make a living out of it. I see this as my career, I am an entertainer. At the end of the day – this is all entertainment. My belief system is not compromised in anyway.
Pammy: On the personal front: do you find it difficult balancing your personal life with your musical career?
Kelly: It can be difficult because it is hard keeping your personal life secret from your audience. They want to know who you are seeing, what your going through etc. Sometimes, they find it difficult to accept that there are people who do not want to be in the limelight apart from when they are performing.
Pammy: Are you currently seeing anyone?
Kelly: Yes, I am engaged to Prosper Mkaiwa and we have been engaged for 6 to 8 months now.
Pammy: How did you guys meet?
Kelly: Well, I was to perform at a concert that he was organizing. I came two hours late and he did not want me to perform. I insisted on speaking to him. I wanted him to tell me to my face why I could not perform after coming all the way out there. So he came, he met me and finally allowed me to perform. We exchanged numbers after the event and the rest is history.
Pammy: Do you intend to have kids anytime soon?
Kelly: Not quite yet. I am more focused on getting my music heard world wide.
Pammy: What challenges do you face being a musician?
Kelly: The major one is exploitation by recording companies, marketers etc. You have to have a keen business sense so you do not get taken advantage of. To combat this exploitation, I set up my own company. This company was set up to build young talents and to also produce quality artists. Another challenge I face is from my audience, sometimes it is difficult for our listeners to understand that we are human and we make the same mistakes just like everyone else. We should be allowed to have our moments of weakness.
Pammy: Do you have a strong support system?
Kelly: Yes, I will say so. My family is very supportive of my music. At first, they weren’t. They wanted me to be a lawyer. But I found out that I derive more joy from entertaining people. I get so much pleasure from the business of music. Being behind stage, getting myself psyched to perform. I am passionate about music.
Pammy: I love that song, qinisela. What is it about?
Kelly: It is about polygamy in Africa and the issues that men go through trying to keep all their women happy. My grandfather had two wives and I am anti polygamy. I believe one man should be with one woman. There is no need to share one’s husband.
Pammy: In the video for that song, we see the young man go to a traditional healer for help. Do you believe in traditional medicine?
Kelly: I am a Christian so I never got to meet those people but I know that a lot of Africans believe and go to them for help.
Pammy: So what is the next big thing on your to do list?
Kelly: I am starting up a Kelly Khumalo foundation for HIV infected kids. I am still looking for sponsors. I will still keep on promoting young artists. I will be in a South African soap about the music industry. I am excited about that because it paints a true picture of the struggles that young artists go through.
Pammy: What words describe you?
Kelly: Fun loving, hard worker, unpretentious.
Pammy: What does Kelly do for fun?
Kelly: Sleep, hang out with my friends, go clubbing.
Pammy: Which artists can you say is your major influence?
Kelly: Unfortunately, they are all dead. I loved the late Brenda faisse and most especially the late Lebo Mathosa. Lebo’s craft was perfect. She really inspired me.
Watch Kelly here:
[youtube]3AqHRPraOxc[/youtube]
busisiwe | Oct 20, 2007 | Reply
i want to join pro kelly cos i bealive its the best pls give me contact details
Pammy | Oct 21, 2007 | Reply
Hi Bussiwe,
Send me an email at pamelastitch@yahoo.com
WINNIE | Nov 7, 2007 | Reply
I REALLY LIKE KELLY KHUMALO. PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO CRITICISE AND PUT HER DOWN BUT SHE ALWAYS PUT HER CROWN UP.
YOU GO GIRL
Tumza | Nov 13, 2007 | Reply
Truly speaking-kelly wa mpolaya-Ke batla go ratana le wena-Respond pls!
Mfanafuthi | Nov 19, 2007 | Reply
Hi Kelly
U rock girl keep it up
emmanuel | Jan 28, 2008 | Reply
you are the best and you are so beutiful keep up the good work babes love eb
Dalingcebo | Jan 29, 2008 | Reply
u Kelly uyashaya!Cha bafethu uyangichaza.Music and herself
she seems strong,i wish she is cause to me she reminds me of sis ma brendana Fassie
clemence jokonya | Feb 2, 2008 | Reply
kelly u re gorgeous I saw u shorts perfoming in botstwana, when re u coming to uk.
pammy | Feb 8, 2008 | Reply
Ok, I have gotten some of the hate comments from fellow south africans about Kelly Khumalo.
Please, stop yourselves before you type your rubbish here.
Kelly, is cool peeps! She is doing great things. Her music is known outside of her region of Africa and for that she should be applauded.
End Of Story.
Thembani | Feb 14, 2008 | Reply
Hi there kelly!i would lyk 2say happy valentines day..
Im writting u dis bcoz uve a great talent and ure da sexiest creature ive never seen in ma lyf.
I jst felt i can atleast talk2u da tym uwere perfoming@da base Hillbrow 2006 dat was osum enjoy
Thembani | Feb 14, 2008 | Reply
hi again! if u wish2chat with here is email tbvaloyi@yahoo.com
Genuine | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
I really love this girl, she rocks and sexy and girl you know how to look after yourself. I could say your man is really feeling proud to have you around. I wish i had the opportunity to meet you in personal. Your smile girl make me melt on TV. All the Best in Your Career and keep it up and With all the blessing from The All Mighty.
Zandza | Mar 27, 2008 | Reply
kelly I love u gal do wat u do & thina we love 4 dat. U rock sweetheart!!
mzansii gurl sugar | Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
kelly ur a great chiic keep yah siingiin up spot onn
mutwa | May 1, 2008 | Reply
as for me i think she sucks.how dare her!but most of all she is kak ugly
zanele mutwa | May 1, 2008 | Reply
my love u r not hot at all.no one really likes u its just that people like seeing ur jelly bums.and as for ur husband how can he marry someone like you!i think he is after ur money,WAKE-UP BITCH!
Michael masha | May 1, 2008 | Reply
hi kelly I LOVE YOUR HOTTIE AND NICE…KEEP IT UP BABY UNFORTUNATELY I DONT KNOW WHERE U LEAVE LOVE U K.KHUMALO
KIDEO | May 6, 2008 | Reply
I LOVE HER AND HER MSIC IS GREAT. CAN SHE CALL ME BACK IF SHE CAN MY NOM ARE 0715177023
THABO | May 8, 2008 | Reply
High Kelly
Kelly i know your diary might be full,but if you can find time and respond on my e-mail i wold realy apriciate that.I would like to meet you one day,just to talk to you face to face,take a photo with u.You are real AFRICAN WOMAN and proud of you.
You music rocks.please reply please.
pammy | May 10, 2008 | Reply
Kelly will be interviewed on SARFM next week Saturday. Please, send your questions to pamelastitch@yahoo.com
Buhle Mashaya | May 15, 2008 | Reply
hey kelly you must wear pefect sisi you are old enough to wear what you are wearing,try to make it better love,what would your parent or reletives say when they see you like this.
Pammy | May 17, 2008 | Reply
Today at 3 pm - Kelly, SARFMRADIO.Com
Omotaylor | May 18, 2008 | Reply
@BuhleMashaya, I watched the video and although I dont understand the language, believe that Kelly was trying to tell a story. Her sexy bedroom dressing I believe was part of the story which gives a picture of a woman desiring her man the Western way but did not succeed and then dressed the South African way, she seemed to have a success story. Maybe I am wrong in this interpretation. Nevertheless, there was nothing shameful or belittling in Kelly’s dressing , even in the picture above. So please give Kelly a break and let us enjoy African Beauty and success without putting her down.
Kelly, go on doing what you do best. I am a matured woman and find you RESPECTABLE.
Karabo | May 29, 2008 | Reply
wooooooooooooooooo! uyababa sisi,where do u liv,i am 25 years of age,tall,not to dark in complexion,muscular and probably every thing would want in a man and MORE!!!
Makhosini Khumalo | Jun 3, 2008 | Reply
Hie kelly l am your brother and l live in Zimbabwe ,do you mind if l pray for you.give me yr email address and l will email my photo.You make the khumalo clan in the whole of southern africa proud.
Hlon'phani Ndwandwe | Jul 1, 2008 | Reply
Hi Kelly! I’m one of your supporter.I want you to know one thing nothing you can do for a jeolous person because always they want to see down all to found they don’t know where are you from until where you’re now so please don’t be discouraged by those stupid people who don’t even know east and west.I’m willing to meet you because I won’t give up I want to marry you.
Steve | Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
Kelly babes,you rock,otota o le motle,sexy body,nice legs,your lips gal shoo! you dress sexy and that goes well with your body. Please come around Klerksdorp sometimes…please dont stop being what you are.keep it up
zikhona | Jul 20, 2008 | Reply
hi sisi ndiyakuthanda wethu Im yo big fan qha jonga indlela onxiba ngayo pls