Interview: Zandie Gumede on reconciling with Kelly Khumalo

After three years of a public feud, sisters Zandie Gumede and Kelly Khumalo have buried the hatchet. Their road to reconciliation was documented in the last episode of Kelly’s Showmax Original reality series, Life With Kelly Khumalo. With the help of Kelly’s therapist, the siblings were able to speak honestly and openly about their issues and Zandie’s wish is for things to go back to normal.

Their feud made headlines a few years ago after Zandie took to social media to announce that she’s “divorcing” Kelly. They had stopped talking and were no longer present in each other’s lives. However, they now feel ready to work things out. During an interview with Showmax, Zandie shared that she and her sister had already started rebuilding their relationship before seeking professional help.

The singer admitted that being in therapy was challenging for her. “I just didn’t know how to react. I think the thing that made me uneasy was the therapy part of things,” she said. As tough as it was, she showed up and realised that her mother had been dreaming about this moment for a long time.

Zandie said she didn’t really know what to expect and was open to anything happening. She told herself that whatever happened, everyone would at least have had a chance to share their feelings towards each other. “Whatever happens, we must have resolved everything by the time we left the room. It’s been a heavy load to carry all this time.”

Their reconciliation was not only about healing past wounds, but also a symbol of new beginnings. Kelly got to meet Zandie’s son for the first time and this was a significant moment for the siblings. “I knew it would happen, but it was just a matter of time. I was just hoping that it happens sooner before my son notices who’s who, what’s going on…” She believes that what was happening was unhealthy and that’s not how their mother raised them.

“One thing I know for sure is that at home we’re not the kind of people who hold grudges for the longest time, and I got that from my mother. You can upset my mother now, but two minutes later it’s gone, we are over it,” she said. Her only wish now is for things to go back to how they used to be. “At this point we are adults, we are not the kids that we were yesterday. We need to consider things or how we speak towards one another…”.

Zandie added that she’d like them to grow from this and make sure that it never happens again.

Stream the final episode of Life With Kelly Khumalo Season 3 now on Showmax.