Here are the top 5 songs you should know about from the late iconic singer, Sibongile Khumalo.
Mzansi is in mourning. On the 28th day of January, one of the country’s greatest icons, Sibongile Khumalo went home to be with the Lord after a successful, and very inspiring career. Her death has hit the country hard, but we have all found comfort in the legacy that she left behind.
The late Sibongile was a true icon. She became popular doing classical, jazz, opera, and traditional music. Born in Orlando West, Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, Sibongile began learning about music at the young age of eight after being inspired by her father, Khabi Mngoma, a professor of music. She studied music at the University of Zululand where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts certificate. She also earned a second Bachelor of Arts (with honours) at the University of Witwatersrand, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Personnel Management.
Her career kicked off in 1992, when she began singing at the Kippies Jazz International. The following year, she bagged a Standard Bank Young Artist Award at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. She also performed her sold-out show, The Three Faces Of Sibongile Khumalo presenting a mix of Jazz, Opera, and Indigenous music. She is most notable for singing at Nelson Mandela’s 75th birthday in 1993, and at his inauguration as President about a year later. Mandela dubbed her “South Africa’s Lady of Song”. She also sang at the Rugby Worldcup Final in 1995, and was appointed to the Order of Ikhamanga in 2008.
She has released 8 projects including “Ancient Evenings”, “Live at the Market Theatre”, “Immortal Secrets”, “Quest”, “Sibongile Khumalo”, “Greatest Hits”, “Sibongile Khumalo Live”, and “Breath of Life”.