South African Music Sensation Zahara Passes Away at 36
Bulelwa Mkutukana, widely known as Zahara, the acclaimed South African Afro-pop singer, has sadly passed away at the age of 36, as confirmed by the country’s Culture Minister, Zizi Kodwa.
Zahara, renowned for her award-winning 2011 album “Loliwe,” had been battling health issues, specifically liver complications, leading to her hospitalization. The government had been providing support to her family during this challenging period, Minister Kodwa noted.
The songstress gained widespread recognition across Africa for her soulful music, and her impact on the South African music scene was profound. Zahara openly discussed her struggles with alcohol addiction in 2019, shedding light on personal challenges.
Last month, her family revealed Zahara’s hospitalization, urging South Africans to keep the beloved musician in their thoughts and prayers. Tragically, she passed away on Monday night in a Johannesburg hospital.
Zahara’s family, in a statement on her Instagram account, described her as a “pure light” and “a beacon of hope.” Fans have flooded social media with condolences and shared cherished memories of the artist.
Recognizing Zahara’s musical legacy, Minister Kodwa expressed, “Zahara and her guitar made an incredible and lasting impact in South African music.” Social media users echoed this sentiment, praising her beautiful music and the indelible mark she left on the industry.
Zahara, with five albums to her name, garnered numerous awards both locally and internationally. In 2020, she was honored in the BBC’s 100 Women list. Beyond her musical accomplishments, Zahara used her platform to address important issues, including speaking out against violence targeting women in South Africa, drawing from her own experiences.
In a poignant interview last year, Zahara emphasized that her music aimed not for recognition but to provide solace to broken souls in need of healing. The news of her untimely passing has left a void in the South African music community, with fans and peers mourning the loss of a true talent and advocate.
We Mourn the Passing of Zahara #RIPZahara 🌹 pic.twitter.com/kSY1mQsL4i
— ZAHARA (@ZaharaSA) December 12, 2023