The passing of Sibongile Khumalo at the far, far too young age of 63 was a body blow.
Sibongile epitomised ‘the new South Africa’, as it was born and as it matured. She sang in every style – from
UShaka – with equal accuracy, generosity and joie de vivre, making everything ‘popular’ to millions of people without ever sacrificing vocal or musical professionalism.
This was one of her greatest gifts, that she made a place for everyone with her voice, a golden, melting voice that made all, young and old, rich and poor, professors and farmers, feel ‘at home’.
To paraphrase the closing text of the Alto Rhapsody: