Bulelwa Mkutakana, popularly known with her stage name, Zahara, has died.
The multi-award-winning artist breathed her last at a private hospital in Johannesburg on Monday night.
The news was confirmed by Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture Zizi Kodwa, who expressed his deep sorrow on social media.
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. pic.twitter.com/1a402aQfLs
— Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture (@zizikodwa) December 11, 2023
Zahara had been hospitalized a week prior, shortly after celebrating her birthday on November 9. The hospitalization followed the payment of lobola by her fiancé, Mpho Xaba.
A statement released by the family a week ago read, “Zahara has been admitted to the hospital following a week of complaints about physical pains. The doctors are working diligently, and we await further updates from them.”
Despite efforts to maintain confidentiality, misinformation about Zahara’s health circulated on the internet. The family emphasized that accurate updates would only be communicated through her official social media platforms.
Tributes trickle in
Tributes have started pouring in following the death of the multi-award-winning songbird.
The Loliwe hitmaker died at a Johannesburg hospital last night.
Her family is yet to release a statement.
COSATU and the African Transformation Movement (ATM) have also offered their deepest sympathies.
ATM described Zahara as an illustrious musical icon whose influence on the South African music landscape was unparalleled.
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Zahara released five albums including Loliwe to Nqaba Yam.
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She also won many South African Music Awards during her career.
Fellow musician Yamikani Janet Banda, also known as Lady Zamar, has also expressed her condolences to the Mkutukana family.
South Africans took to social media to pass on their messages of comfort with to the family and also to share their fondest memories.
zahara did a lot for the music industry in south africa…paved the way for so many others with her icon presence and guitar in hand💔💔she will be missed. i never knew her personally but her music was loud and brave #ripzahara praying for her family 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 she was loved ❤️ pic.twitter.com/RMtD4C6X9d
— Lady Zamar (@Lady_Zamar) December 11, 2023
#RIPZahara Gone too soon. 💔💔 Keep playing your melody in heaven Bulelwa Mkutukana. Fly with the angels, this world was never kind to you. The music industry failed you, you were never supposed to struggle like you did. You ARE worth the millions you never enjoyed. So sad.🕊️🕊️ pic.twitter.com/Hl3zdTGypG
— Khanyi Magubane (@Khanyi_Magubane) December 11, 2023