Kelly Khumalo was far from pleased with Ntokozo Mbambo’s accomplishments at the 2023 SAMAs, and, against her better judgment, she went on a rant that drew ire from social media.
Watch: Kelly Khumalo goes on rant, blasts Ntokozo Mbambo
The SAMAs announced this year’s winners, on Saturday evening, in a night marred by below-par executions. Beyond the subpar showing, which left a bitter taste in the mouths of A-list celebrities like Nandi Madida, the ceremony had several epic moments.
One standout of the evening was Mbambo. The gospel singer walked away with three major honours: Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Best Contemporary Faith Album.
Khumalo, who lost favour over the years due to her close proximity to the murder of former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, faced a tall order walking away with anything in the two categories she contested.
In the end, the Empini songstress left empty-handed, and instead of taking a high ground, Khumalo disintegrated into mania and went on a rant, blasting Mbambo as an industry plant, and the SAMAs for colluding against her.
Central to Khumalo’s protest was her claim that “numbers don’t lie.” In this scenario, the singer was referring to the commercial dominance of her album From A God To A King.
While sales figures for her 10th studio album were not available, Khumalo’s preceding project, The Voice of Africa lent her credibility, as the 2021 release has, thus far, garnered several multi-platinum certifications.
Alas, the industry response to the 39-year-old’s rant only added to her already smeared brand. However, judging by this video she posted amid the backlash, it seems Khumalo couldn’t care less about pandering to the masses.
Mbambo, the subject of Khumalo’s rant, has yet to entertain the circus.
