The award-winning musician from South Africa, Zahara (real name Bulelwa Mkutukana) has passed away.
The singer died at a private hospital in Johannesburg on Monday night at the age of 36.
Fiancé Mpho Xaba was at her bedside, the Sunday World magazine from the country has reported.
The Loliwe hitmaker was hospitalized with liver problems two weeks ago. A close source told Sunday World that the singer died before 9pm.
“The family will release information soon. She was with Mpho when she passed away,” added the source.
A spokesperson for Mkutukana’s family and her cousin Zahara Oyama Dyosiba said she was struggling to find Xaba on Monday night.
“I’m getting calls from everywhere. I’m in Cape Town and I’m trying my best to find Mpho. I can’t reach her” added.
Zizi Kodwa, the country’s minister of sports, arts and culture, posted on X: “I am deeply saddened by the death of @ZaharaSA. My sincere condolences to the Mkutukana family and the South African music industry.
“The government has been with the family for some time now. “Zahara and her music did amazing and lasting things in South African music,” said Kodwa.
A week ago, the family confirmed that Zahara was hospitalized for a week.
They thanked those who supported them and sympathized with the musician who was ill at the time. This after reports the singer was rushed to hospital due to “liver problems”.
The statement read: “Unfortunately, although our daughter’s hospitalization has been kept strictly confidential within our family and close friends, that has not stopped the spread of misinformation on social media. We want to emphasize that any reliable information about Zahara’s health will be communicated through her official social media acounts or herself.”
The singer’s family from East London also arrived in Joburg to be close to the singer’s fiance, Xaba’s.
Zahara was admitted to the doctors’ ward but her condition worsened and she was transferred to the ICU section of the private hospital.
Last week, the singer’s condition worsened and she was reportedly unresponsive.
Zahara released five best-selling studio albums, from the platinum debut Loliwe (2011) to Nqaba Yam (2021), which reached number 1 on iTunes.
Se has bagged 17 South African Music Awards in her career, including three Metro FM Awards and one Nigerian Entertainment Awards.
May her sweet soul Rest in eternal Peace.
