Veteran singer and Dancer Winnie Khumalo was remembered as a bubbly, warm and energetic person by her family, industry colleagues and friends who gathered at the Market Theatre for her memorial service recently.
The Live My Life hitmaker who passed away on the 7th of January, touched many hearts and left soulful sounds for mzansi to remember her by.
During her memorial service, it was revealed that Winnie was not only talented in music, but she was also smart in school and played soccer.
Among other speakers, musician, Oscar ‘Oskido’ Mdlongwa also paid tribute to Winnie, in his speech he said: “She used to struggle keeping up with rent where she used to stay. When she started getting gigs and more doors opened for her, she told me that she wanted a house. This cheque was so big for her that we helped her build a banking profile for six months so that she’d be able to get a bond for a house. She didn’t touch her royalties for six months then she later said, ‘I got a place’.”
Rethabile Khumalo took to her Instagram page to share a brief extract of her mother’s memorial service.
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Media personality, Somizi Mhlongo also spoke fondly of Winnie and said: “Can we celebrate her new chapter? She was always bubbly, warm and energetic.”
He also shared a touching reflection on the unique pain of losing a mother.
“What people never warn us about is the impact of losing a mother. That part angers me how much it hurts to lose a mother. I don’t like to compare, but there’s a difference between losing a mother and losing a father. And it’s because there’s an attachment of an umbilical cord.
“Mothers are multitaskers. They can do anything and be everything that you want them to be, and that’s what is difficult,” he said.
Winnie will be laid to rest on Saturday her service will be at the Protea South Multipurpose Hall, and she will be buried at Westpark Cemetery.
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Watch: SABC news live streamed the service:
Also see: Naledi Aphiwe pays homage to Winnie Khumalo with a tribute song | Bona Magazine