South African Afro-pop sensation Bulelwa Mkutukana, affectionately known as Zahara, has passed away, as confirmed by the country’s culture minister. Zahara, renowned for her 2011 album “Loliwe,” which gained immense popularity across Africa, had been grappling with liver complications during her time in the hospital. The government had been supporting her family throughout this period.
In 2019, Zahara bravely shared her struggle with alcohol addiction, shedding light on her personal battles. Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa expressed, “Zahara and her guitar made an incredible and lasting impact in South African music,” through a heartfelt post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The news of Zahara’s hospitalization surfaced last month, prompting her family to seek prayers from South Africans. Sadly, she passed away on Monday night in a Johannesburg hospital at the age of 36, according to SABC, the public broadcaster.
Her family, in a poignant statement shared on Zahara’s Instagram account, described her as “a pure light and an even purer heart in this world.” They acknowledged her as a beacon of hope, a gift, and a blessing to them and countless others worldwide.
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Social media has been flooded with grieving fans sharing cherished memories of the artist. One X user expressed, “She left us with such beautiful music.”
Zahara, with her five albums, accumulated numerous awards both locally and internationally. Her inclusion in the BBC’s 100 Women list in 2020 further attests to her global impact.
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Beyond her musical achievements, Zahara used her influential platform to address the prevalent issue of violence against women in South Africa, drawing from her personal experience. In a radio interview last year, she emphasized that her music aimed not for recognition but to provide solace to wounded souls in need of healing.
