Chicco, Oskido & other celebs share touching tributes to Winnie Khumalo

Close friends and family members gathered at the Market Theatre in Newtown to honour the late Winnie Khumalo at her memorial service on Wednesday.

The singer and actress died on January 7.

Representatives of the arts and culture world DJ Zinhle and Ihashi Elimhlophe were among the attendees.

Somizi Mhlongo, who was one of the programme directors, kicked off the ceremony by sharing comforting words with Winnie's children.

“What people never warn us about is the impact of losing a mother. That part angers me, how much it hurts to lose a mother. I don't like to compare, but there's a difference between losing a mother and losing a father. And it's because there's an attachment of an umbilical cord. Mothers are multitaskers. They can do anything and [be] everything that you want them to be, and that's what is difficult,” he said.

“Nothing will ever be the same again. Don't force it. They say time heals. Time does not heal; time makes it better. Remember that it's natural for you to cry again in 20 years' time the way you were crying today. You are going to have moments where you feel she died today. Christmas is not going to be the same, birthdays are not going to be the same, nothing is going to be OK. Remember it's OK to mourn forever.”

DJ Cleo spoke of the time they spent together working together since meeting in 2006 while she was doing backing vocals for Bongo Muffin. He last saw Khumalo in November when shooting a pre-recorded performance on Radio 2000.

“We had a lot of personality clashes. We'd fight and make up,” he said.

Former minister Jeff Radebe recalled seeing Khumalo just days before her death, when she visited him after going for a spa treatment. He said she was in good spirits and looked radiant.

“Winnie contributed to the ANC when needed most,” he said.

Musician and producer Sello “Chicco” Twala said he was with the late star two days before she passed away, and she showed no signs that she would soon pass.

“There was no sign of sickness,” he said.

Kalawa Jazmee record label owner Oskido recalled meeting her in 2008 and spoke of the work that they did together. “Winnie was our Whitney Houston. You gave her a song, she would [give it her all],” he said.

Oskido also spoke of how Winnie bought her first house, where she paid of a great portion of the bond with her royalty money. He revealed there was still R50,000 left to pay.

“As you see, there's a lot of contributions towards your mother's passing. With the rest of the money left, go and pay off your mother's house,” he urged Khumalo's daughter Rethabile.