Veteran singer Sibongile Khumalo has died at the age of 63. Khumalo had been ill for a long time as a result of complications arising from a stroke.
The Soweto-born star started out as a music teacher, but became a household name as a jazz singer, her songs taking her to the top of the radio charts.
She was also known for her award-winning opera and concert work.
Khumalo performed for events such as late president Nelson Mandela’s 75th birthday. She led the New Zealand and SA national anthems at the historic 1995 World Cup rugby final.
She was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in silver for her ‘excellent contribution to the development of SA art and culture in the musical fields of jazz and opera’.
Khumalo was guided by her father, Khabi Mngoma, a professor of music. She had a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the University of Zululand and BA Honours from University of the Witwatersrand.
In 1993, Khumalo won the Standard Bank Young Artist Award at the Grahamstown Festival.
In 2009, Khumalo was honoured by Rhodes University, which awarded her a Doctor of Music honoris causa. She has also been awarded honorary doctorates by the University of South Africa (Doctor of Musicology Honoris Causa) and the University of Zululand (Doctor of Philosophy Honoris Causa).