On Father’s Day, singer and mother Kelly Khumalo posted a harsh message aimed at her father, Fanyana Titus Makhathini, who also serves as a pastor at Oneness of Christ Church in Vosloorus and Daveyton. In the post, she accused him of being abusive and called him a deadbeat father.
She didn’t stop there, taking aim at his congregation as well, where Makhathini and his new wife are reportedly based.
The online criticism has reportedly intensified an already painful rift within the family, with private issues spilling into public view. It also prompted a direct reply from her stepsisters, Karishna and Ntsako Makhathini, who stepped forward to defend their father.
Kelly has one full sister, Zandie Khumalo Gumede, sharing both parents, along with five half-siblings through her father with two other mothers.
Speaking with emotion and visible frustration, Karishna—described as the eldest daughter—rejected Kelly’s public claims that their father is a deadbeat. She said the version of events being shared by her “rebellious” sister does not match the man they know.
“Our father is very much alive, healthy, handsome, and still a noble man of God,” she said.
Karishna said she would have preferred to keep family matters private, but argued that Kelly has now aired their personal problems publicly and that she won’t be silenced.
“We have tolerated Kelly’s bad behaviour for most of her life, and this is where we draw the line, not with our father,” Karishna said.
“We are blood sisters; there are seven of us from my father. The family was shocked by the timing and tone of the video on Father’s Day,” Ntsako added.
She said the family had prepared for Father’s Day in advance.
According to Karishna, the five siblings had planned a special lunch complete with gifts.
Karishna added that, ideally, all of their father’s children would have come together—apart from Zandie, who is in KZN, and Kelly, who she said showed no interest.
She said the family received word that the plans were scrapped after Makhathini was left heartbroken by what he saw in Kelly’s Father’s Day post, where she described him as a deadbeat and suggested he deserved punishment.
In her message, Kelly said, “I see God and my ancestors dealing with people who have tried to destroy me, as well as the deadbeat fathers of my kids. But why have they not dealt with the man who gave birth to me? Why is he not getting punished, like the deadbeat he is?”
Karishna responded by saying she believes she was wrong to label him a deadbeat.
“He cried tears. Our father cried. It hurts—he was devastated,” she said.
“Our father was present during all his children’s upbringing and disciplined us as any parent would. I was raised by my father. We all lived in the same house with Kelly and Zandie. He took care of us. He is not what she is saying. He is a man of God, a disciplined father.”
Karishna also looked back on childhood memories of family get-togethers.
“We braai on Fridays, we sang at family gatherings, and many children wished to have a warm home such as ours. Our dad is funny, intelligent, and involved in property and business. We don’t understand this story she keeps telling; it’s all lies.”
She and Ntsako also pushed back on Kelly’s accusations of neglect, describing a home life they say included guidance, faith, and support.
Karishna, who described herself as a singer and a born-again Christian, said her father’s influence helped shape her spiritual path.
“I am a worshipper at church. I grew because of him. His words kept me grounded,” she said.
“Kelly and Zandie, like all of us, got the musical and spiritual gift from our father, who can also sing.”
“He is on a pension now, but he raised us. He never abandoned us. Why is she saying these things?” Karishna said.
Karishna further claimed Kelly’s conduct has, for years, created friction within the family.
“For many years, we’ve tried to understand her actions. She is not speaking truthfully. She left home as a teenager because she was unruly and ill-disciplined. She chose her own path. But now she wants to rewrite everything,” she alleged.
She added that Kelly has allegedly had tense relationships with her siblings, saying, “We don’t even speak anymore. But Zandie is different; she is peaceful, a sweetheart, but much can be said about Kelly.”
Karishna said the conflict escalated beyond words at times.
“Kelly and I have even fought physically before. I will beat her, she knows. It’s been like this for years, and we have maintained peace away from the limelight. But we had to speak up and defend our father after her,” she said.
In a final emotional appeal, Karishna insisted the family is not trying to chase attention from the controversy, but rather seeking clarity.
“We are not doing this for attention. We are minding our business. I am a singer too, but I don’t like the industry. If I wanted fame, I would have chased it,” she said.
“She is my sister, but things are not okay. As I just want our father’s name cleared.” Kelly was not reached for further comment.
