Zahara on booking fee vs how much TS Records allegedly paid her

South African award-winning musician Zahara – real name Bulelwa Mkutukana died on Monday, 11 December – an old interview of her on MacG’s Podcast & Chill show has since resurfaced allegations on how much TS Records, the record company that managed her was allegedly paying her.

EISH! ZAHARA’S DEATH PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON TS RECORDS
In a previous clip, the recently deceased 36-year-old singer and songwriter said she wanted to be remembered as “the girl next door”. Born in the Eastern Cape, she made a name for herself under TS Records, the record label linked to businessman and politician Thembinkosi ‘TK’ Nciza and entrepreneur Sibusiso Leope, also known as DJ Sbu.

She released her debut album Loliwe in 2011 and pulled on her fans’ heartstrings over the years with smash hits like Ndiza, Phendula, Bendirongo, and more. According to SowetanLIVE, in 2019, she claimed that her first album sold more than 500 000 copies. Nonetheless, her financial problems often made headlines.

During an interview on Podcast & Chill which aired two years ago, Zahara said that at the peak of her career, she was getting booked for around R80 000, R120 000 with the full band, or R100 000 without it. However, with all of that money, she was only allegedly getting paid R15 000 which she would still have to beg for from the record label.

During her conversation with MacG, Zahara also claimed that TS Records owed her millions from proceeds and everything else under the sun as they allegedly handled everything on her behalf. When asked about the R10m to R30m allegations, Zahara said she believed karma would eventually catch up with those responsible for withholding what is allegedly due to her.

THE ‘LOLIWE’ SINGER’S DEATH AND FUNERAL SERVICE CONFORMED
Earlier this week, a family statement confirmed Zahara had passed on – this comes after after another statement revealed that she had been in hospital for a few weeks. “We mourn the passing of Zahara. It is with heavy hearts and deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved daughter, sister, and friend, Zahara… 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,” the statement read.

Zahara’s memorial service will be held on Thursday, 14 December at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg, Johannesburg.