Ntokozo Mbambo celebrated for her wins despite Kelly Khumalo’s social media shade

Gospel artist Ntokozo Mbambo has been celebrated as one of the night’s biggest winners at the South African Music Awards (Samas) on Saturday, but her Female Artist of The Year award triggered an onslaught of petty tweets from Kelly Khumalo.

Mbambo triumphantly walked away with three noteworthy awards at the 29^th edition of the Samas, hosted at SunBet Arena at Time Square, Menlyn Maine Tshwane.

Words FAIL me!!!! I’m in awe of God, His faithfulness, His favour and His love! Thank you @Koko_Records: @NqubekoMbatha and @TeekayMthembu and the whole team, thank you @WyzMedia 🌟#SAMAs #SAMA2023 pic.twitter.com/XEgjHk7aNu

— Ntokozo Mba(mbo-tha) (@NtokozoMbambo) November 18, 2023

The former Joyous Celebration member took home Female Artist of The Year, Album of The Year and Best Contemporary Faith Album awards for Lavish Worship. The KwaZulu-Natal-born songbird, who came on the scene as the youngest member of Joyous Celebration in 2000, continues to prove her powerhouse status as a solo act.

Hallelujah ❤️❤️👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 well deserved my daughter we are all so proud of you @NtokozoMbambo 🙏🏾❤️ https://t.co/ZIiPfMWAxV

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— Dr. Rebecca Malope (@DrRebeccaMalope) November 19, 2023

Industry peers such as Dumi Mkokstad, Rebecca Malope and Thandiswa Mazwai have celebrated Mbambo’s winnings, alongside a throng of fans. Even former Kelly bestie, fellow singer Brenda Mtambo, showed love to Mbambo.

Happy Sunday bangcwele❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/eEoGwwrRjo

— Brenda Mtambo ✨🇿🇦 (@BrendaMtambo) November 19, 2023

“Congratulations Ntokozo. That voice deserves all the awards. It soothes and gives hope,” wrote Thandiswa.

A huuuge congratulations to sisi @NtokozoMbambo @NqubekoMbatha and @kokorecords

malihambe iVangeli
🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/EajQrFMJQY

— #DUMI_MKOKSTAD (@Dumi_MkokstadSa) November 18, 2023

But fellow nominee in the Female Artist of The Year category, Kelly Khumalo, was not only irked by the eventual winner, she went as far as vocalising her frustration on social media in a slew of tweets.

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Disgruntled Kelly

The Empini singer bashed Mbambo, insinuating that she had better numbers and was more deserving of the award than the gospel artist.

Arranged winnings FUSEG!

— The Voice Of Africa (@KellyKhumaloZA) November 18, 2023

Kelly was also slated for posting a tweet on X (formerly Twitter) saying that the winnings are long-decided upon.

Arranged freedom as well for you… pic.twitter.com/f4uEjuAWo2

— 🇧🇼👑Nkalanga we Jackalas No.1👑🇧🇼 (@ShxcksBW) November 19, 2023

The criticism triggered a barrage of posts from the singer, where she swore at everyone, declaring that she isn’t afraid of anyone.

Bafonele asibesabi

— The Voice Of Africa (@KellyKhumaloZA) November 18, 2023

Nontokozo naye uyazi numbers don’t lie.! Asimesabi ! Fuseg Samas !

— The Voice Of Africa (@KellyKhumaloZA) November 18, 2023

“Kelly received a smidgen support for posting that Mbambo wasn’t deserving of the award. Ntokozo was done a favour to avoid having Kelly winning.  Kelly would have attracted negative attention to Samas from her haters! People would have called for boycotts of Samas and some sponsors. We know Kelly deserved it. We apologise to her as the nation,” wrote an incognito @Constitution_94.

On Sunday morning, the singer posted a video from her bed, still standing by her statements from the previous night.

Emaweni 👋 pic.twitter.com/FnrIzf8el4

— The Voice Of Africa (@KellyKhumaloZA) November 19, 2023

This social media outburst comes just days after Kelly also trended on social media for seemingly being drunk and spewing confusing statements on camera.

In the video, that has since made rounds on social media this past week, Kelly can be seen talking about her new song, being the breadwinner and even confusing Pakistan with Palestine.

@izidabazabantu #izidabazabantu #southafricatiktok🇿🇦 #tiktoksouthafrica🇿🇦 #kellykhumalo #jubjub ##senzomeyiwa ♬ original sound – izidabazabantu

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