The South African music industry is mourning the loss of one of its most talented and beloved stars, Zahara, who passed away on Monday night at the age of 35.
The singer-songwriter, whose real name was Bulelwa Mkutukana, died at a private hospital in Johannesburg, where she had been admitted a week earlier following complaints of physical pains.
Her death was confirmed by the Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture Zizi Kodwa, who took to social media to express his condolences to her family and fans.
"I am very saddened by the passing of @ZaharaSA. 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," he wrote on X.
Zahara was one of the most successful and acclaimed artists in South Africa, with a career that spanned over a decade. She rose to fame in 2011 with her debut album Loliwe, which went double-platinum within 19 days of its release and won eight South African Music Awards (SAMAs), including Album of the Year and Best Female Artist.
She went on to release five more albums, the latest being Nqaba Yam in 2021, which topped the iTunes charts. She also won nine more SAMAs, three Metro FM Awards, and one Nigeria Entertainment Award, among other accolades.
Zahara was not only a musical sensation, but also a cultural icon and a role model for many young women. She was named one of the BBC's 100 Women in 2020, a list that celebrates inspiring and influential women from around the world. She also served as a guest judge on the seventeenth season of Idols South Africa in 2021, where she shared her wisdom and experience with aspiring singers.
Zahara was engaged to businessman Mpho Xaba, who had paid lobola (bride price) for her shortly before her birthday on November 9. The couple had planned to tie the knot next year.
Zahara's family had requested privacy and respect during her hospitalization, and had urged the public to ignore the false rumors and misinformation that circulated online about her health. They said that any official updates would be communicated through her social media platforms or by herself.
Zahara's death has shocked and saddened her fans and fellow musicians, who have flooded social media with messages of tribute and appreciation for her life and legacy. Zahara was widely regarded as one of the most influential and original voices in South African music, and her songs touched the hearts and souls of millions.
She will be remembered for her beautiful voice, her captivating lyrics, her vibrant personality, and her passion for music and humanity. She will be greatly missed, but her music will live on forever.
