Profile
Zahara Biography
Bulelwa Mkutukana commonly known as Zahara(which means “blooming flower”) was a South African singer-songwriter who passed away on December 11, 2023, after being hospitalized a week earlier at a private hospital in Johannesburg. She was widely known for her debut album, Loliwe (2011) which went double platinum.
Zahara Height
She stands at a rough height of 5 feet and 6 inches.
Zahara Age
She was 36 years old at the time of her death. She was born Bulelwa Mkutukana on November 9, 1987, in the Phumlani Informal Settlement outside of East London in Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Personal Life
Zahara Family and Relatives
She was born to Nokhaya and Mlamli Mkutukana. Apart from her, her parents had 6 other children with her as the 6th youngest. She was nicknamed “Spinach” when she was a child.
Brother
In July 2014, her younger brother was killed in East London. She said that she underwent a period of depression after his demise, but recuperated enough for the release of Country Girl in 2015.
Zahara Spouse and Children
According to standardmedia.co.ke, she was hospitalized after her fiancé, Mpho Xaba, paid her bride price (bride price).
Professional Life
Zahara Net Worth
She has garnered a net worth ranging from $1 million to $6 million during his successful career as a singer.
Zahara Career
She began singing at the age of 6 in her school’s choir. When she was 9, she joined the senior choir because of her strong voice. TK Nciza signed her for a record agreement with TS Records and she released her debut album Loliwe in 2011. For the album, she achieved double platinum status. Subsequently, she launched her second album, “Phendula,” in 2013, featuring chart-topping singles like “Phendula,” “Impilo,” and “Stay.”
In 2015, she released her third album called Country Girl, earning triple platinum certification. Later, she left TS Records and signed a record deal with Warner Music. Moreover, her fourth album, “Mgodi,” released in 2017, attained platinum status, becoming her best-selling record. Her fifth album, “Nqaba Yam,” secured the top spot on iTunes.
During her music career, she has attained numerous awards including three Metro FM Awards, one Nigeria Entertainment Award, and 17 South African Music Awards. In 2020, she was recognized on BBC’s 100 Women list, and in 2021, she served as a guest judge on Idols South Africa SN 17.
Discography
- Loliwe (2011)
- The Beginning Live (2012)
- Phendula (2013)
- Country Girl (2015)
- Mgodi (2017)
- Nqaba Yam (2021)
Zahara Loliwe
In 2011, she released her debut album, Loliwe. Within 72 hours, the first batch of copies was completely sold out. Just 19 days later, the album beat the 100,000 copies mark, achieving double platinum status in South Africa. This accomplishment marked her as the second artist, after Xhosa compatriot Brenda Fassie, to achieve such a notable sales figure in such a short period of time.
Zahara Dies/Is She Dead?
She died on December 11, 2023, after being hospitalized a week earlier at a private hospital in Johannesburg. Before being hospitalized, she complained of physical pains for weeks. News of her death was confirmed by Zizi Kodwa, Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture in South Africa, on his Twitter account on December 12, 2023. Further, he conveyed his grief and extended his sympathies to her family. Additionally, he remarked on the remarkable and enduring impact that she and her guitar had on South African music.
However, her family has not yet released an official statement. After her hospitalization, rumors of her death went rampant and her familly had to adress the rumors. On November 27, 2023, they released a statement on her Instagram account saying that they ask for privacy and that updates of her health would be shared on her social media platforms. Before her hospitalization, she revealed that she was struggling with addictions to alcohol in 2019. Moreover, she suffered from liver problems which could have served as a contributing factor to her untimely death.
Zahara Social Media
She has active social media platforms i.e. Instagram. She has a following of over 450K on Instagram.