The Afro-pop singer from South Africa, Zahara, passed away at the age of 36
Tributes flowed in on Tuesday for the late Zahara, the acclaimed South African singer whose debut album propelled her to overnight pop sensation status. The news of her passing at the age of 36 was confirmed by South Africa's arts minister and Zahara's record company. Her death occurred in a Johannesburg hospital where she had been admitted last month.
Bulelwa Mkutukana, born into a modest family in a village near East London, gained recognition for her distinctive guitar skills and her voluminous Afro hairstyle.
Zahara, who sang in choirs during her childhood and self-taught guitar, earned comparisons to Tracy Chapman, Joan Armatrading, and India Arie for her distinctive voice.
In 2011, she made a remarkable entrance into the music scene with her debut album "Loliwe," which sold out within 72 hours. Zahara shared the stage with luminaries like Hugh Masekela, James Ingram, and Lauryn Hill at Africa's largest jazz festival in 2012.
Throughout her career, Zahara released five albums and clinched 17 South African Music Awards, the country's premier honors.
In a 2012 interview with AFP, Zahara recounted singing for South Africa's anti-apartheid icon, Nelson Mandela, at his home. She emotionally recalled, "That was emotional for me. I remember I cried when I started singing to the finish, and I even messed up my song."
The news of her passing deeply saddened Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa, who expressed his condolences on the former Twitter platform (X).
Her record label, Warner Music Africa, also expressed that it is in a state of mourning over her passing.
"The enduring memory we hold in our hearts and minds is her capacity to bring solace and connect with the challenges faced by the most impoverished," stated the radical Economic Freedom Fighters opposition party.
While the cause of death remains undisclosed, Zahara was hospitalized last month due to "physical pains," as noted in a family statement. In 2019, her manager disclosed that she was contending with liver disease.
Leave A Comment