The musician – who has been bearing the brunt of the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial and even more so these past couple of weeks – won an award at the Basadi in Music Awards at the Joburg Theatre on Saturday, 12 August.

 

 

 

 

Kelly won the Afro Pop Artist of The Year at the second annual event which honours women in music and entertainment industry.

Taking to her social media, Kelly thanked her fans: “Thank you BoMakhi we did it!” she wrote.Kelly Khumalo has been haunted by cancel culture following bombshells being dropped by witnesses at the Meyiwa murder trial which started de novo in July.

The Ngathwala Ngaye hitmaker was the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper’s girlfriend when he was killed in her presence at her mother’s house in Vosloorus on 26 October 2014.

Six adults were with Meyiwa that fateful night. These include Kelly; her mother, Ntombi Khumalo; her sister, Zandie; Zandie’s boyfriend at the time, Longwe Thwala; the later player’s friends, Mthokozisi Thwala and Tumelo Madlala; as well as Kelly’s two children.

Following testimony by Colonel Lambertus Steyn – who is a data analyst and investigation officer at the South African Police Services (SAPS) Cold Case Unit – calls for Kelly to be cancelled grew.

As as result, she was removed from the line-up of the Tribute To Women concert, as well as from the Maseru Jazz Festival.

Despite tthis, Kelly is still enjoying support from her fans, other event organisers and industry peers.

Whilst she lost out on some gigs, Rusty Rocks Events reassured patrons that the singer would still be performing at their All4Women Music Concert. She also received support from her friend Somizi Mhlongo who said he is standing by her and still wants her to perform at his show titled Shades of Pink at Emperors Palace in Ekurhuleni on 19 August.