Renowned South African Afro-pop singer Bulelwa Mkutukana, known as Zahara, has passed away, as announced by South Africa’s Culture Minister.
The music icon, with a musical legacy spanning five albums and numerous accolades on both local and international stages, breathed her last on Monday night in a Johannesburg hospital.
According to Minister Zizi Kodwa from the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Zahara had been hospitalized due to liver complications and had been receiving support from the government and her family during this period.
Zahara, aged 36, gained widespread acclaim not only for her award-winning 2011 album “Loliwe,” but also for her advocacy against violence towards women in South Africa.
In 2019, she courageously shared her struggle with alcohol addiction.
In November, her family disclosed her hospitalization, urging South Africans to keep her in their thoughts and prayers.
Zahara’s impact as a singer and an advocate echoes through her contributions to the music industry and her commitment to addressing societal issues.
An official statement from her family is pending.
