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Sibongile Khumalo to be laid to rest next Saturday

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Jazz musician and opera singer, Sibongile Khumalo, will be laid to rest next Saturday in Johannesburg. She died from stroke-related complications at the age of 63.  

The Soweto-born singer, affectionately known as Ma’Mngoma passed away on Thursday.  

Throughout her career, she was awarded many accolades including the Order of Ikhamanga bestowed on her by President Thabo Mbeki.   

Former President Nelson Mandela referred to her as the First Lady of Song.  

Family Spokesperson Bandile Mngoma says, “The funeral will be on the 6th of February at the Market Theatre. We will further give more details in terms of where she will be finally put to rest. But what we can say for now is that the funeral will be at the Market Theater on the 6th of February.” 

Rhodes University has joined the millions of South Africa in paying homage to the world-renowned opera singer and jazz music legend.  

Born in 1957 in Soweto, Khumalo is one of the most celebrated artists in South Africa. 

Khumalo rose to fame when she won the Standard Bank Young Artist Award at the Grahamstown Arts Festival in 1993. 

Since then she has graced local and international stages, including singing at former President Nelson Mandela’s 75th birthday and 1994 inauguration. 

Rhodes University honoured the musical giant with an honorary doctorate in Doctor of Music in 2009.  

Luzuko Jacobs, the Director of Communications and Advancement at Rhodes University, says she will be dearly missed. 

“She was completely dedicated to lifting others up. That’s the true definition of leadership. We had quality in her but also we had a major investment in a person who was dedicated to building others. Rhodes University identified extraordinary traits in her and extraordinary achievements in her and extraordinary contributions that she made to society and to her own community,” says Jacobs. 

In the video below, legendary jazz musician Sipho Hotsitx Mabuse shares more about Khumalo: 

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