Kelly Khumalo declines offer to replace Somizi at Zim gig after finding out why he was blocked

05 November 2021 - 07:00
By Joy mphande
Singer Kelly Khumalo declines Zimbabwean gig after her close friend Somizi Mhlongo was shunned for his sexuality.
Image: Supplied Singer Kelly Khumalo declines Zimbabwean gig after her close friend Somizi Mhlongo was shunned for his sexuality.

Singer Kelly Khumalo is standing in solidarity with her close friend Somizi Mhlongo as she declined to replace Somizi for the Zimbabwe-based gig for which the media personality was ostracised due to his sexuality.

This comes after Zimbabwean churches and political party Zanu-PF allegedly sent a letter to the president’s office blocking Somizi from attending an event he was booked to appear at as a guest chef for the reopening of a leading restaurant on November 4.

Kelly was set to replace Somizi at the reopening of the restaurant in Harare. The restaurant proprietor, Mandy Mvukwe-Chimhini, confirmed to TshisaLIVE that the Empini singer was booked for the event.

Kelly's manager Khothatso Tsotetsi told TshisaLIVE that the singer received the same booking after his cancellation. However, she had no idea what had led to Somizi being blocked when they were initially approached.

He added that after they caught wind of the Somizi debacle they distanced themselves from the event and declined the offer.

Somizi shared a video on his Instagram on Wednesday explaining that though he was disheartened that he was shunned because of his sexuality, he would not stop speaking up for the LGBTQI+ community.

“This is not the first time that this happens to me ... them telling me not to go, it won't change the sexuality of those people ... you not wanting me for being me ... I will not stop to speak on [these issues]. 

“I will not stop speaking on behalf of the voiceless and on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves.”

TshisaLIVE reached out to Somizi for comment but had not received a response at the time of publishing this article.  

Meanwhile, people have taken to social media rallying behind Somizi with shock at the news.

Take a look at the reactions below: