#RIP: Mzansi Remembers Zahara After She Dies

Tributes pour in non-stop for the music sensation.

A legend is gone. Multi-award-winning musician Zahara has left a huge mark on generations with her iconic voice. She belted out song after song and made a great impression on her fans all across Africa.

Singer Zahara passed away on Monday at the age of 36. As the news of her death spread around South Africa, fans remembered the afro-soul singer, who won 17 South African Music Awards, three Metro FM Awards, and one Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Zahara, whose real name is Bulelwa Mkutukana, was on the 2020 list of the BBC’s 100 Women. She appeared as a guest judge on the seventeenth season of Idols South Africa in 2021.

On Monday night, 36-year-old Zahara passed away at a private hospital in Johannesburg. Mpho Xaba, her fiancé, was at her bedside. The singer died shortly before 9 p.m. A source close to the muso told Sunday World.

Zahara was first brought to a medical ward, but as her health deteriorated, the private hospital moved her to the intensive care unit (ICU). The afro-soul singer’s condition worsened last week, and it was reported that she was unresponsive.

The popular singer-songwriter’s death was revealed yesterday, and since then, tributes have been pouring in nonstop. Notables from the music industry and fans of the artist now look back fondly on the singer’s life and career.

Fellow musician Lady Zamar posted a heartfelt message and paid tribute to the late musician on Twitter (X), writing: “Zahara did a lot for the music industry in South Africa… paved the way for so many others with her icon presence and guitar in hand. She will be missed. I never knew her personally, but her music was loud and brave. Ripzahara is praying for her family. She was love.”

Celebrities were not the only ones who paid tribute to Zahara; industry peers also poured in their condolences.

A lot of fans have since been paying tribute by sharing music videos from the late singer. They’ve been expressing how much Zahara has touched them through music. We have indeed lost a gem.