Kelly Khumalo may be taking us to church and topping the charts with the powerful Hlengiwe Mhlaba collab Esphambanweni, but the star has hit back at claims she has traded her pop career for one closer to the pulpit.

Esphambanweni has earned the star rave reviews and trended on music streaming services, and Kelly recently told TshisaLIVE she has been humbled by the response to the song.

“It is about the significance of the cross. It reminds us that God loves us so much, he gave his only Begotten Son for us. It reminds us of his unconditional love. It has been amazing. It is a dream come true for me.”

In an Instagram video on the launch of DStv’s new channel, Trace Gospel, she hinted at possibly sacrificing “secular music” to release the project.

“Something changed in me. My whole life, I have been trying to figure out who am I and what I am meant to do. I was convinced doing secular music was exactly what I was meant to do, but after tonight I feel different.

“The thought of it scares me. It scares me so much because, for me, I love God, I respect God, and I think the biggest fear comes from whether I am making the right decision. What scares me is that I am leaving me behind. It is surrendering to the power that is God. This is one thing I cannot be in charge of. It requires me to surrender and that scares me.”