Zahara to be laid to rest in her hometown before Christmas

Bulelwa Mkutukana, who was well-known by her stage name Zahara, will be laid to rest in her hometown of Phumlani near East London, Eastern Cape. Her funeral is scheduled for December 23, just two days before Christmas. The Loliwe singer was remembered yesterday at a memorial service held at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg. The National Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gauteng and Eastern Cape government have committed to assist the Mkutukana family with the late singer’s funeral.

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane said they will give the multi-award-winning singer a dignified send-off. “Working with the family and Buffalo City Metro, we are going to make sure she is given a funeral that is of her stature. We are ready for this, this is our daughter who was loved by many and soothed many through her music,’ Mabuyane said. Zahara’s fiance, Mpho Xaba who paid lobola for her two days before she fell ill, was by her side until the very end. He remained a pillar of strength and support for her throughout her illness. Even after Zahara’s passing a source says he demonstrated his grace and kindness by returning to the hospital to thank the doctors and nurses who cared for his wife-to-be.

He is a very humble man, he came back to the hospital to fetch her things and thanked everyone for taking care of Zahara until her passing. You could see that he is heartbroken but he put on a brave face,” the source said. The Mkutukana family spokesperson Oyama Dyosiba told ZiMoja that as the family, they were happy Mpho went to the hospital to thank healthcare workers. “He did that because he is a good guy. I am grateful for Mpho, he has been a good and supportive husband,’ Dyosiba said.

Talking during the memorial service yesterday, Mpho said the weeks the Loliwe singer stayed in the hospital had been hell for him. He also told mourners how they met many moons ago.He said the first time they met they shared intimate conversations and they were both in good space. “After our encounter, she managed to get hold of my number through a mutual friend.

I was skeptical at first because I did not have any business with celebrities,” he said, adding that he came to see her as more than a celebrity as she was real and did not use her status when approaching him. “That’s one of the qualities I loved about her,”. He added: “I was part of her real and human side, I knew her mind and her insecurities. I used to write her long text messages to reassure her that she was worthy. I used to give her confidence, love and hope and she would complain about my long texts as part of our jokes