Zahara is a popular South African songstress who recently passed away, find out more about her and her cause of death
Aside from being a famous singer, Zahara was also part of women’s movements throughout South Africa and took part in campaigns for female victims of violence.
South Africa singer Zahara cause of death reason, obituary, bio, age, family, husband, songs, net worth
The curtain has fallen on one of Africa's best talents.
They'll never be another Zahara
They'll never be another loliwe
Say hi to Brenda fassie 🕊🕊🕊 pic.twitter.com/aRTycvIHq2— ™ DuDuS (@Blockest) December 13, 2023
I know everyone dies but never in my life did l think we will get into 2024 without AKA and Zahara 😔 pic.twitter.com/u0y37owiBC
— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) December 12, 2023
Zahara reportedly had trouble with alcoholism and candidly spoke about turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism after her brother passed away.
Zahara passes away
South African songstress Zahara passed away on December 11, 2023. Zahara’s manager, Oyama Dyosiba, confirmed the news about the singer’s death after previously sharing that she had been hospitalized due to complaints of physical pain. According to reports, Zahara passed away in a Johannesburg hospital. Following the tragic death, South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, expressed his condolences, saying:
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.”
Zahara cause of death
The famous singer passed away after suffering from liver disease. According to reports, she had been struggling with alcoholism, which directly contributed to her liver disease. Back in 2019, Zahara’s sister, Nomonde, informed how doctors said:
If she continues drinking, she is going to die… We are making sure that there is always someone around her to monitor her so that she doesn’t start drinking again.”
Zahara bio
Bulelwa Mkutukana, more popularly known as Zahara, was a South African singer, songwriter and guitarist who was born on November 9, 1987, in East London, South Africa. She passed away on December 11, 2023, in Johannesburg, South Africa. She was born to parents, Mlamli Mkutukana, and Nokhaya Mkutukana.
She has three other siblings Nomonde Mkutukana, Mbangedwa Mkutukana, and Mbuyiseli Mkutukana. She was a self-taught guitarist who gained recognition after releasing her debut album, Loliwe, back in 2011. Notably, the album won the Album of the Year at the South African Music Awards.
Zahara’s personal life made headlines, particularly her relationships and previously involved with Ian Sibiya, the couple celebrated their second anniversary in 2019 before parting ways. Zahara found love again, announcing her engagement to Mpho Xaba in March.
She had a net worth of $5 million.
Age
Zahara was just 36 years old when she passed away.
Zahara career
According to reports, Zahara grew up listening to songs that her mother played on the radio. She eventually discovered her love of singing and became the lead singer of her Sunday school choir at the young age of 6. Notably, she did not receive any formal musical training. She had a very successful musical career, and sang songs loosely classified as “Afro-soul”. She sang in Xhosa, which is her native language, as well as in English and was famous for having a unique voice.
Zahara gained recognition after she released her debut album, titled Loliwe, back in 2011. She released the song after signing a record deal with TS Records. Notably, Zahara’s won a double platinum with Loliwe. Her last recent album, was titled Nqaba Yam, which she released in 2021. Notably, the singer performed the album title track for Nelson Mandela at his home right before his death in 2013. She also wrote a tribute song, which she sang in a blend of Xhosa and English. Throughout her career, she often got compared to legends like Tracy Chapman and India. During an interview in 2021, Zahara shared:
There’s a difference between a gift and a talent. I’m gifted, not talented”
Aside from her solo career, Zahara is also well-known in the African music industry for her notable collaborations with the singing group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo. She has also collaborated with musician, Robbie Malinga, and Nigerian singer, 2Baba in the past. During an interview in 2022, she commented on her music, saying:
I write about my life. If you want to know mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally where I’m at, where I’m centered, go get my albums.”
Tributes come pouring in for Zahara
Following her tragic death, her family published a statement on Instagram saying:
She was a pure light, and an even purer heart, in this world. A beacon of hope, gift, and a blessing to us and countless people around her.”
Fans have also come forward to share their tributes and condolences on her social media. Many fans were grieving the singer’s death while sharing fond memories of listening her music.
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