‘Sexuality is not a decision’: Kelly Khumalo ‘ambushed’ by Zim restaurant

South African singer Kelly Khumalo claims she was ambushed for an appearance by the Zimbabwean restaurant that cancelled media personality Somizi Mhlongo due to this sexual orientation on 4 November. 

ZIM RESTAURANT: ‘SHE OPTED TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH SOMIZI’

Somizi Mhlongo was booked as a guest chef at the reopening of the Garwe Restaurant in Harare, Zimbabwe. However, the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe opposed the restaurant’s decision to involve Somizi in their reopening. 

Following the church’s attempt to ban the former Idols SA judge from Zimbabwe, the Zanu-PF Youth League obliged. The political party announced that he will no longer be visiting Zimbabwe for the event.

The restaurant then attempted to replace Somizi with his “best friend” Kelly Khumalo. However, the Empini hitmaker chose to stand in solidarity with Somizi and not attend the event. The event reportedly went ahead without the two South African stars.

“Unfortunately, Kelly can’t be with us tonight. She has opted to stand in solidarity with Somizi,” the person reportedly said to the guests according to City Press. 

KELLY’S MANAGER: ‘SEXUALITY IS NOT A DECISION’

Kelly’s manager revealed that she did not take the gig because of her loyalty to Somizi, who is reportedly her cousin. Her manager also said that it did not make sense morally.

“We had to cancel. We could not do it because, morally, it did not make sense. It is simply based on ethics. They (Somizi and Kelly) are cousins and, on top of that, they are best friends,” said Kelly’s manager Kgothatso Tsotetsi. 

“There was no way that she could ever (support) anything that stands against what she has always represented in her country, which is the LGBTIQ+ community,” Tsotetsi continued.

“It just did not make sense why a whole country would want to sabotage someone over a decision which they did not take themselves. Sexuality is not a decision,” Tsotetsi added. 

KELLY KHUMALO CLAIMS SHE WAS ‘AMBUSHED’ BY THE RESTAURANT

City Press also reported that Kelly felt ambushed by the Zimbabwean restaurant to replace Somizi. Her manager revealed that she was not aware that she was meant to replace Somizi when she was booked for the gig. 

“Bookings were done. Everything was a rushed job because clearly they wanted to get away from it being an issue of the media catching up before Kelly could find out. Everything was an ambush from the beginning to the end,” said Tsotetsi.

“Only when she found out that Somizi was being accused of something that is irrational did she cancel the entire booking,” continued Tsotetsi.

Kelly was reportedly at the OR Tambo International Airport when she changed her mind minutes before boarding her flight. The publication reports Kelly made a full booking fee refund to the restaurant while Somizi was paid 30% of his booking fee for the cancellation. 

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