Johannesburg – South Africans and music fans all over the world woke up on Tuesday to the sad news that renowned Afrosoul singer Zahara has passed away in hospital at the age of 35.
Sport, Art, and Culture Minister Goodenough Zizi Kodwa said on X: “I am very saddened by the passing of @ZaharaSA.”
The minister added: “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.”
The Loliwe hitmaker had been hospitlaised for the past two weeks amid fears she had been poisoned by a family member just days after or during her lobola negotiations.
Born and raised in East London, Zahara’s real name was Bulelwa Mkutukana. She was the fourth child in a family of six.
The self-taught guitarist scooped 17 SAMusic awards, three Metro FM awards, and a Nigeria Entertainment award.
Messages of condolences have begun pouring in, especially on social media.
https://twitter.com/ZaharaSA/status/1734520263025250785/photo/1
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) said it was “saddened” by the passing of Zahara.
“Ever since she shot to fame with her album Loliwe in 2011, Zahara has proved to be a highly talented singer and guitarist, producing music that had an impact beyond South Africa,” SATFU said.
“She was a musical genius who produced music that echoed the reality, struggles, and hopes of working-class people.”
SAFTU said Zahara’s song Loliwe, was historical.
“It highlights the mode of passenger transport that transported the working class from labour reserves to the working centres in mines and factories,” said the Federation of unions.
SAFTU added: “Excerpts of her song, Imali, are true to our situation in many senses including that many political killings are motivated by contest for money in tendering corruption, killings during robberies and even at macro level, imperialist induced wars and killings are motivated by contest for money and power.
“In Phendula, she conveys the hopes of the working people who wish their situations of destitution to change.
“Underlying all the problems she highlights is the capitalist mode of production and capitalist social relations that continue to reproduce multiple crises of unemployment, poverty, inequality, crime and wars.”
SAFTU said it extends heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to Zahara’s family, the Mkutukana family and friends.
Zahara Family statement announcing the singer’s passing:
