Khanyo Maphumolo came to the limelight for her role as a lead vocalist in the musical Sarafina and it
was this role that propelled her into winning the love of the audience both locally and
internationally.
The Durban-bred musical star was still a teenager when she played the character Magundane in the
film Sarafina. Her talent afforded her the role that opened up her world, she spent a chunk of her
career span traveling and performing around the world.
She is also responsible for soundtracks behind internationally renowned projects including the Lion
King and Tsotsi, and has backed legends like Tshepo Tshola, Lucky Dube, Busi Mhlongo, Deborah
Fraser, Hugh Masekela, and Rebecca Malope (the list goes on).
After a protracted break from the music scene, Khanyo has recently made a comeback with her
fourth studio album, Khumbul’Ekhaya, which is an infusion of different music genres. She juggles
multiple genres because she “aims to make music for all types of people”, she says; “As long as it’s
music- I go all the way in”.
According to the 49 years old “music in South Africa is dead” “Which is very sad” she says “because
music used to heal souls.” She attributes this to the contemporary digital music stores which
according to her are not yet well known and comprehended by many South Africans who are used to
purchasing hard copies music.
South African musicians are not afforded the support that Khanyo believes they desperately need.
She says musicians do not know where to go with their troubles and the government is not doing
much about it. “They only need them to sing during political campaigns.” She laughs.
One would’ve assumed that streaming services were a blessing for artists, but data might suggest
otherwise. South Africans are also embracing international music and music taste abandoning our
very own. Perhaps it’s time to revisit the drawing board and embrace our own before we can go
outside.
