It all started in 1988, when an ordinary girl from KwaZulu-Natal's KwaMashu wanted to see exactly what people do in Johannesburg.
She arrived in Johannesburg with her three friends, not knowing that one day she would be known as part of the cast of the film that has so much impact on people given the history of the country.
Singer and actor Khanyo Maphumulo says her character as Magundane in the stage play, Sarafina has awarded her opportunities that she never thought that she would get as a young girl who didn’t finish school but had talent. She became famous for singing songs like Our Father, Freedom is Coming Tomorrow and still cherishes the fact that she acted alongside Whoopi Goldberg as a teen.
She was one of the ladies who were mesmerizing the crowd at the second annual Basadi in Music Awards, taking music lovers down memory lane and singing her song Just Us. She joined Andile, Winnie Khumalo, and Tshidi from Mailaka on stage.
She says that was her highlight this year.
This memorable performance happened two days after the remastered digital version of the multi-award-winning film Sarafina premiered in IMAX, Ster-Kinekor. The remastered version was released during Women’s Month to celebrate the women of the struggle.
And Khanyo says she is so thrilled that all this happened to her this month to remind her that she's still got it, and she should keep pushing.
Read more | Mandoza's wife Mpho Tshabalala on healing and letting people in on her husband's story
Khanyo talks to Drum about getting nostalgic when watching her 17-year-old self again after thirty years, performing at the Basadi Awards, and getting over her weight issues.
“When I first came to Joburg from KZN, I was an ordinary girl who was eager to see the city and [understand] why so many people wanted to be here. Back at home we used to sing at weddings, and we never got paid but when we arrived here with my two friends, [we] met the late China Mngadi of the legendary Soul Brothers, he told us that we should attend auditions.”
She says she was only 14 years old and didn’t know anything about auditions but went to the Market Theatre to audition for a role in Sarafina the play.
“We sang ‘I Love You Daddy’ by Ricardo and we were selected to be part of the play, which toured all over the world for six months. When we got back, we were told about the film, we shot it for six months and I was 17 years old at the time. I was told that I was going to keep the same character. That is when the name Khanyo Maphumulo came to the public.”
Decades after the success of the film and her trying to make it big in the music industry, she says being called to perform at the awards show came at the right time.
“I released an album in 2021 called Khumbul’ Ekhaya that had a powerful message, especially after surviving Covid-19 as an artist. I have been struggling to get airplay but that didn’t break my spirit because I love music, and I am nothing without it. So I went into the dark space when my body of work wasn’t given a chance. I needed to perform at Basadi just to remind myself [of] what I am capable of.”
Being famous at a young age and being alive when the remastered version came out is a big deal for her, especially being able to still do what she loves.
Seeing the film and seeing the faces of so many people who acted on Sarafina that have passed made her realise that she needs to fight for her dream some more.
Read more | 5 Minutes with musician Nothende Madumo - 'I have experienced being blackballed'
“Getting famous at a young age is a humbling experience for me because it taught me to appreciate my journey. Watching Sarafina at the premiere was so emotional because there were a lot of people who passed away in that movie and there were some scenes that made me cry. I know that those people would’ve been proud that after thirty years the movie is still touching so many people.”
She says there are a lot of challenges in the industry and she realised people within the industry do not support each other.
“I have missed opportunities because people within the industry would intentionally tell promoters that I am overseas, while I am based in South Africa. That is why I am grateful to Hloni Modise the founder of Basadi in Music Awards for allowing me to be on stage with other amazing women during women’s month so that we can appreciate each in such a big platform.”
She says she would like to encourage young kids who want to be part of the arts to go to school first so that they can be able to read their contracts and not get themselves in contracts that will trap them.
“A lot of artists who get into the trap of signing the contracts because they just want to sing but that is a dangerous thing to do. I have never been in such a situation; I was fortunate to sign with SONY when Lindelani Mkhize was still part of the company, and he treated me like a family member and ensured that I was taken care of.”
Another challenge she has faced and is still dealing with is the weight issue in the industry. She says she has been told a lot of times to lose weight so that she can have “sex appeal.”
“I had challenges about my weight, they would tell me to lose weight so that I can be sexually appealing. I have tried to lose weight but that is when I gain more. I told myself that I have the voice and stage presence therefore no one can change me because I can dance even with my current body.”
