In a tragic turn of events, the music industry mourns the loss of multi-award winning musician Zahara, whose real name is Bulelwa Mkutukana. The beloved hitmaker passed away on Monday night at a private hospital in Johannesburg. Zahara's fiancé, Mpho Xaba, was by her side during her final moments.
Zahara had been admitted to the hospital two weeks ago due to complications related to her liver. A close source revealed that the singer sadly passed away shortly before 9pm. The family is expected to release an official statement soon. The source also confirmed that Zahara was with Mpho at the time of her passing.
Oyama Dyosiba, the spokesperson for the Mkutukana family and Zahara's cousin, expressed his struggle to reach Mpho on Monday night. He received numerous calls from concerned individuals but was unable to get in touch with Zahara's fiancé as he was in Cape Town.
Zizi Kodwa, the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, expressed his deep sadness over Zahara's passing in a post on social media. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the Mkutukana family and the South African music industry. Kodwa acknowledged the government's support for the family during this difficult time and praised Zahara's significant and lasting impact on South African music.
Just a week ago, the family had confirmed Zahara's hospitalization, expressing gratitude for the support and compassion shown by those who were concerned about the musician's health. The family emphasized the importance of relying on reliable information from Zahara's official social media platforms or from Zahara herself regarding her health.
Zahara's family from East London had also arrived in Johannesburg to be with Mpho, her fiancé, during this challenging period. Initially admitted to a medical ward, Zahara's condition worsened, leading to her transfer to the ICU section of the private hospital. Unfortunately, her situation deteriorated further over the past week, and she was reportedly unresponsive.
Zahara leaves behind a remarkable legacy in the music world. She released five highly successful studio albums, starting with her double platinum debut, "Loliwe," in 2011, followed by subsequent hits like "Nqaba Yam" in 2021, which reached number one on iTunes. Throughout her career, Zahara received 17 South African Music Awards, three Metro FM Awards, and one Nigeria Entertainment Award, solidifying her status as a celebrated artist.
The music industry and fans alike are devastated by the loss of Zahara, remembering her for her incredible talent and contributions to South African music. Her music will continue to resonate with audiences as her legacy lives on.
