(Johannesburg) South African Afropop singer Zahara died on Monday night at the age of 36, the government and her record company said.
Published yesterday at 10:05 am.
Zahara sang in English and her native Xhosa, one of South Africa's official languages, and was often compared to American artist Tracy Chapman for her style and voice.
The singer, whose real name was Bulelwa Mkutukana, died in a hospital in Johannesburg. She had released five albums and won 17 South African Music Awards.
“I am very saddened by the death of @ZaharaSA,” South African Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa said on Platform X late Monday. “Zahara and his guitar had an incredible and lasting impact on South African music,” he added.
His record company Warner Music Africa also said it was in “mourning”.
According to the family, the singer was hospitalized last month “due to pain.” She had spoken publicly about her battle with alcohol addiction and her manager revealed in 2019 that she was suffering from liver disease.
Originally from a village near East London and from humble beginnings, Zahara found success with her first album, Loliwe, in 2011, seeing skyrocketing sales in record time.
She had started singing in choirs and learned to play the guitar on her own. Her voice and style have often been compared to those of American singers Tracy Chapman and India Arie, as well as British singer Joan Armatrading.
Notably, she was invited to Africa's largest jazz festival in Cape Town in 2012 alongside Hugh Masekela, James Ingram and Lauryn Hill.