Close friends speak out following the death of Zahara

Popular South African award-winning singer and songwriter Bulelwa “Zahara” Mkutukana has sadly passed away at age 36 after being in hospital for a month.

The family of the Loliwe hitmaker spoke about her deteriorating health a couple of weeks ago, announcing that she had been hospitalized and was in a critical condition.

The publication spoke to one of Zahara’s close friends who said her family will release a statement in time.

On Monday, 27 November, her team and family released a statement that read: “We wanted to take this opportunity as a family to express gratitude for the outpouring of love, support, and compassion for our dearest Zahara since the recent media articles about the nature of her health. For your kindness and concern, and because we know you love Zahara, we wanted to give you an update on our daughter’s health.”

Her family said Zahara had been admitted to the hospital for a week following complaints about physical pains.

The team said the doctors were working diligently and were waiting for further updates from them.

“Unfortunately, even though our daughter’s hospitalization has been of strict confidentiality within our family and close friends, that hasn’t stopped the spread of disingenuous information on the internet. We want to stress that any reliable information regarding Zahara’s health will be communicated via her official social media platforms or by herself,” the statement read.

The family further said they were asking for privacy on this matter.

“We trust that she will be back on the road soon; doing what she loves, and what we love her for: Healing people through her powerful gift and love of music. With love and kindness, the Zahara family and team,” they said.

Zahara was first signed with TS Records and released her acclaimed album Lolilwe, which went double platinum.

Over the years, she has released eight projects under her name, the last recent being an EP titled Power Of A Woman, released in 2023.

She has since won numerous awards, including 17 South African Music Awards, three Metro FM Awards, and one Nigeria Entertainment Award.

Zahara was on the 2020 list of the BBC’s 100 Women.

She appeared as a guest judge on the seventeenth season of Idols South Africa in 2021.She is survived by her parents and five siblings.

This is a developing story.