Lerato Mbhiza
Multi-award winning musician Zahara (real name Bulelwa Mkutukana) has passed away. The Loliwe hitmaker died at a private Johannesburg Hospital on Monday night after she was admitted with liver complications two weeks ago
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa confirmed the news when he shared a tribute on his X timeline.
“I am very saddened by the passing of Zahara. 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.
Two weeks ago, Zahara’s family posted a statement on her social media accounts, responding to media reports she had taken ill.
The family said the 35-year-old singer had been admitted to hospital suffering “physical pains” and that doctors had been treating her.
The EFF said of Zahara, who was at the official opening of their headquarters, Winnie Madikizela Mandela House and had a song of the EFF’s Fourth Jazz Hour Album, iEFF Iyangena: Zahara was close to our hearts. Lala Ngoxolo Ma’Sthathu”.
Zahara was born in East London on 9 November 1988. She received acclaim when her debut album Loliwe went double platinum. Her second album, Phendula, produced three chart-topping singles “Phendula, Impolo and Stay”.
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