DJ Sbu and TK Nciza dragged into Zahara’s death

Mzansi award-winning social entrepreneur, DJ, TV & radio host, music producer, actor, best-selling author, motivational speaker, philanthropist, and businessman, DJ Sbu and TK Nciza have topped the trends list on social media following the untimely passing of Afropop sensation Zahara, real name Bulelwa Mkutukana.

The multi-award-winning songstress’ passing was confirmed by Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, on Monday night.

“I am very saddened by the passing of Zahara. 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,” Kodwa wrote.

The 36-year-old musician died at a private Johannesburg Hospital on Monday night with her fiancé, Mpho Xaba, by her bedside – a source told Sunday World.

The Loliwe hitmaker and DJ Sbu – real name Sibusiso Leope – have not been on good terms for years and it all started when she accused the DJ and Thembinkosi “TK” Nciza (who were her record label executives at her former label, TS Records) of exploiting her.

In 2019, the songstress claimed she did not receive royalties from her former bosses for her debut album Loliwe. The album sold over 500 000 copies and won her several awards.

But, according to DJ Sbu, this is not the case. In July last year, he attempted to clear his name when he took to Twitter to write: “Ms Zahara’s money has always gone to her.”

In response, the Mgodi singer rubbished his claims and called him a liar.

“I haven’t been getting anything since I left the record label and I saw recently that my music was uploaded on digital platforms without me knowing, it means they sold my records to somebody and it means I need to get a cut for it.”

DJ Sbu and Zahara’s feud has been ongoing, with each party claiming the other is not being truthful. Speaking to TshisaLive in 2021, DJ Sbu fired back at the Destiny singer saying he “built” himself from “nothing”.

“I’ve never sought an opportunity to benefit from someone or try take somebody else’s money,” he added.

She again spoke up about her woes with TS Records during her 2021 interview with MacG and Sol Phenduka on Podcast and Chill. Zahara revealed that TS Records owed her millions of rands.

She alleged that her booking fee was between R80 000 and R120 000, but Dj Sbu and Nciza would only give her R15 000.

During Zahara’s hardship last year, when she was on the brink of losing her townhouse in Roodeport, she again blamed her financial challenges on DJ Sbu and Nciza.

DJ Sbu and TK Nciza took a talented, naive girl from the village and made her sign a record deal that she didn’t understand.

They used Zahara’s trusting nature to exploit her. She fell into a deep depression and became an alcoholic.

The music industry is EVIL!! #RIPZahara

— ??✨• ?????? ????????? • ✨?? (@whydntyouluvme) December 12, 2023

#RIPZahara
I blame TK Nciza and Sbusiso Leope for the passing of Zahara. As much as they unearthed her talent. Same time, the money squabbles they had with her that's what led to Zahara's frastruation, depression, anxiety. To which it blurred her vision of a healthy lifestyle. pic.twitter.com/LIh8SSUyQY

— Lolo (@Lolo101M) December 11, 2023