South Africa’s Afro-pop star Zahara dies at 36 after battling liver problem

Bulelwa Mkutukana, the award-winning South African Afro-pop singer fondly Zahara, has passed away.

The songwriter died on Monday night in a Johannesburg hospital at the age of 36.

“She was a pure light, and an even purer heart, in this world. A beacon of hope, a gift, and a blessing to us and countless people around the world,” Zahara’s family wrote via her Instagram page.

 

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A post shared by Bulelwa Mkutukana (@zaharasa)

Zahara, who gained fame for her 2011 album ‘Loliwe’ which resonated across Africa, had been hospitalised due to liver complications.

The singer was admitted to the hospital last month. But her situation deteriorated last week after she was reported to be unresponsive.

Zizi Kodwa, the country’s minister of sports, arts and culture, disclosed that the government had been assisting the family “for some time”.

“I am very saddened by the passing of @ZaharaSA. My deepest condolences to the Mkutukana family and the South African music industry,” he wrote on X.

“Government has been with the family for some time now. Zahara and her guitar made an incredible and lasting impact in South African music.”

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 put out five studio albums; including the double-platinum debut ‘Loliwe’.

She also won 17 South African Music Awards in her career, including three Metro FM Awards and one Nigeria Entertainment Award.

Zahara was famous for using her music to speak out about violence against women in South Africa.

Listen to the song ‘Loliwe’ below: