South African actress and singer Winnie Khumalo has died at the age of 51.
Khumalo reportedly passed while on the way to hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
In an interview with the SABC, family representative Tshepi Akeepile said Khumalo had been found struggling with her health by her daughter who tried to rush her to hospital before she succumbed to the unknown illness.
“As a family at this stage we are deeply saddened. She was sick and her daughter was out. It was her daughter that got back home to come and collect her so that she could be taken to the hospital. She tried to help her,” Akeepile said.
“She was really not well. Unfortunately on their drive to the hospital that’s when she passed away. When they arrived at the hospital they pronounced her dead on arrival.
“It is expected that we are devastated. We are at a loss. Winnie had a son, Ntando Khumalo, and daughter, Rethabile Khumalo, and three grandchildren, three sisters and her mother.”
Born in 1973 in Soweto, Khumalo began her music career at the tender age of 15, releasing her first project and quickly rising to fame.
Over the years, she became a household name with her distinctive voice and popular dance moves that resonated across generations.
Some of the Afropop musician’s popular titles include ‘Live my life’ and ‘Kulezontaba’.
