Kelly Khumalo, the South African singer known for her powerful voice and captivating stage presence, has also been the subject of intense scrutiny for her personal life and the string of high-profile relationships that have often ended in tragedy or heartbreak.
From her early days in the spotlight to her current relationship, Khumalo’s love life has been a rollercoaster ride, leaving many to question whether she is cursed in love.
Khumalo’s first major relationship was with music promoter Prosper Mkwaiwa, who proposed to her on the popular dating show All You Need Is Love. However, the relationship was short-lived, ending when Mkwaiwa admitted to having an affair.
Despite this setback, Khumalo continued to climb the music ladder, becoming a household name in South Africa.
In 2010, Khumalo began dating fellow musician Jub Jub, a relationship that she has described as “toxic” and fraught with drugs and allegations of abuse.
Also read: Adetshina’s Comeback: Competing in Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 After South Africa Exit
The couple welcomed a son, Christian, in the same year, but their relationship was marred by the tragedy of Jub Jub’s car crash that killed four schoolchildren.
Jub Jub was sentenced for culpable homicide and released in 2017. He has since alleged that Khumalo has prevented him from seeing his son, a claim she has vehemently denied.
Just a few months after Senzo Meyiwa’s wedding to Mandisa Mkhize in 2013, the Orlando Pirates goalkeeper began a relationship with Khumalo. They welcomed a daughter, Thingo, in mid-2014. However, their happiness was tragically cut short when Meyiwa was shot and killed at Khumalo’s mother’s home in Vosloorus.
The murder investigation has been ongoing for almost a decade, with allegations of foul play swirling around the case.
In 2016, Khumalo was linked to married KwaZulu-Natal traditional healer Bhaka, a relationship that ended abruptly when Khumalo allegedly assaulted him after demanding he leave his wife for her.
Bhaka, in a statement to the media, expressed his gratitude to his wife for her strength and support during this tumultuous period.
Khumalo’s next high-profile relationship was with rapper Chad Da Don, whom she met on the set of her music video for “Dance Comigo”. The couple became engaged in 2018 after a whirlwind romance. However, the relationship ultimately ended, with Khumalo citing Chad Da Don’s insecurity about her friends and fans.
“He was insecure about friends – I have a lot of gay friends – and insecure about my fans. My fans are my life. I am where I am because they support my music, they support my brand, and they support my performances,” she said in an interview with MacG on Podcast and Chill.
Also read: Mihlali Ndamase Accepts One Charge, Rejects Attempted Murder of Leeroy Sidambe
Khumalo has repeatedly denied the rumours that she “curses” the men she dates, but the string of failed relationships and tragic events surrounding her love life has led to speculation and gossip.
According to reports, Khumalo is currently dating former Kaizer Chiefs player Mthokozisi Yende. The couple welcomed a baby girl together in 2023 and have reportedly kept their relationship off social media.
Khumalo’s journey through love and loss has been a complex and often painful one. While the public continues to speculate about her romantic life, Khumalo remains a strong and resilient figure in the South African entertainment industry.