South African musician Zahara dead at 36

Born Bulelwa Mkutukana, Zahara had been battling an unspecified illness for a couple of weeks. In the last week of November, Zahara’s family shared a post via her Facebook page confirming her illness and thanking the public for their support. In 2019, the Afropop singer was diagnosed with liver disease apparently due to excessive drinking.

Zahara’s death was confirmed via social media by South African Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa, who wrote: “My deepest condolences to the Mkutukana family and the South African music industry. Government has been with the family for some time now. Zahara and her guitar made an incredible and lasting impact in South African music.”

Artists and music industry players also took to social media to convey their condolences following news of the artist’s passing:

• The South African Music Awards wrote: “Our heartfelt condolences go to the Mkutukana family on the loss of their daughter Zahara. We have lost a true icon in the South African music industry. May your beautiful soul rest in peace.”
• Lady Zamar: “Zahara did a lot for the music industry in South Africa… paved the way for so many others with her iconic presence and guitar in hand. She will be missed. I never knew her personally but her music was loud and brave #ripzahara praying for her family. She was loved.”
• Nkosazana Daughter: “May your soul rest in heaven sister Zahara.
• Thandiswa Mazwai: “Ah. So sad. Rest easy Zahara. This business can be so tragic. Rest Zahara.”

Zahara went on a sabbatical due to depression in 2018 and 2019. She made her comeback in 2021 following the release of her last album Nqaba Yam in August that year. The project is an account of how she tackled the challenges of life through prayer and support from her family. The overall theme throughout the album is endurance, which is best illustrated on the track ‘Nyamezela’.

In a 2021 interview with Music In Africa, she said: “I don’t write to make hits, I write about my life story. When I was writing the album, I couldn’t sleep until 5am, because of everything that hurt me and some of the things that were happening around me. My life is a cliché – my ups and downs are out there for you guys. I want people to perceive me as that girl next door. A girl that came to inspire and set the footprint for you so that you can walk towards your goal. I want them to remember me as a girl who came to instil change.”

Zahara became a household name following the release of her debut album Loliwe, which went double platinum 17 days after its release in 2011. Her second album, Phendula, released two years later, also had three top singles – ‘Phendula’, ‘Impilo’ and ‘Stay’. In 2015, she went triple platinum with Country Girl, and went No 1 on iTunes with Nqaba Yam, her fifth album. Her accolades include 17 South African Music Awards, three Metro FM Music Awards and a Nigeria Entertainment Award.