Edward Tsumele

Edward Tsumele

Kelly Khumalo can go ahead with her plans to release her album in May and her South African Music Award (Sama) nominations are safe.

This follows a ruling by the Johannesburg high court on Wednesday in a case brought by Kelly's former company, Bonsai Entertainment.

Bonsai had asked the court to rule that Khumalo be disqualified from the Sama nomination and that she should not be allowed to release her single Zulu uya Sabeka under her new ProKelly recording label, which she co-owns with her fiance Prosper Mkwaiwa.

Bonsai Entertainment argued that because Kelly was nominated for the Samas while with Bonsai Entertainment and not ProKelly, they had the prerogative to withdraw her Sama nomination. Kelly's contract with Bonsai Entertainment lapsed last month paving the way for her to team up with Mkwaiwa to form ProKelly.

Commenting on the ruling by Judge Moroa Tsoka, Mkwaiwa said the couple celebrated "like mad" after their court victory.

"It was a difficult period, not only for Kelly, but for the stable as a whole," a jubilant Mkwaiwa said.

"[The ruling] means that we can go ahead and release Kelly's complete album in May.

"As a stable, we can also go ahead and sign more artists.

"We are on the verge of signing an established artist.

"We expect to make the announcement, which will shake the industry, in about a week." .

Zulu uya Sabeka, Kelly's single, is produced by Sipho Sithole.

The album was produced by various notables, including DJ Christos, who is credited with being behind Boom Shaka's success.

"This is a hot album which is sure to take the country by storm," said Mkwaiwa.