South African Afro-pop sensation Bulelwa Mkutukana, widely recognized as Zahara and an award-winning artist, has passed away, as confirmed by the country’s culture minister.
Zahara had been hospitalized, reportedly with liver complications, and the government had been providing assistance to the family “for some time,” revealed Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa.
Her album “Loliwe” catapulted the songstress to fame in 2011, earning admiration across Africa.
Zahara candidly revealed her struggle with alcohol addiction in 2019.
The family, last month, acknowledged her admission to the hospital and implored South Africans to hold the musician in their prayers.
She passed away on Monday night at the age of 36 in a Johannesburg hospital, as per the state-run SABC news website.
Her family has yet to issue an official statement, but fans are grieving and sharing heartfelt memories on social media.
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‘Zahara and her guitar made an incredible and lasting impact in South African music,’ Mr Kodwa posted on X (formerly Twitter).
‘She left us with such beautiful music,’ one X user posted.
With five albums to her credit, Zahara secured numerous awards locally and internationally. In 2020, she was honored with a spot in the BBC’s 100 Women list.
The songwriter Zahara not only showcased her musical talent but also raised her voice against violence against women in South Africa, disclosing her own encounters with such incidents.
Zahara, in a radio interview last year, highlighted that her music was not created for recognition but with the intention to bring comfort to broken souls seeking healing.