After over the two weeks battling the complications, The South African Famous Singer Bulelwa Mkutukana Known as Zahara reportedly Died at a private Hospital in Johannesburg this last Monday and it is said she was with her Fiance Mpho Xaba by her side.
According to publication Zimoja, things have not been rosy behind the scenes, with Xaba reportedly changing an agreement made in which only himself, Zahara’s mother Nokhaya, her two sisters and brother were allowed to visit her in the ICU at a private hospital.
Zahara was born as Bulelwa Mkutukana in Phumlani Camp, near East London in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, where she lives with her parents Nokhaya and Mlamli Mkutukana. She is the sixth of seven children, and has been interested in singing since her early childhood. Her stage name means “flowering flower”
She enjoyed a good reception from her first Album, Loliwe, published in 2011. On May 1, 2012, during the South African Music Awards ceremony, she won eight awards, including those for best female artist and album of the year. She sings in Xhosa, as well as in English.
Her music is generally considered afro Soul, She sings in her mother language, Xhosa, as well as in English 5. His music has been described as a mix between styles popularized by Tracy Chapman, and india Arie6. Most of Zahara’s songs are written in the Xhosa language spoken in South Africa and Zimbabwe although it is not widely spoken there.
Her first Album, Loliwe, was released in 2011, produced by Robbie Malinga, The first print sold out in 72 hours, and 19 days later, the album reached double platinum in South Africa, surpassing 100,000 sales 2
This makes her the second musician, after Brenda Fassie, who was also from the Xhosa people, to reach this figure in record time. She released her first live DVD with LeRoy Bell, her competitor on The X Factor, This DVD reached platinum (by the standards set by the South African recording industry) in one day.
Some Records and Archievements of Zahara as the Best Female Artist of the Century in South Africa :
In 2014, Zahara was norminated in the different Awards like “African Muzik Magazine Awards” as the best Female Southern Africa by her song “Phendula” and on the Award, “20th Annual Southern African Music Awards” as Best Selling Album, Best female Artist of the Year and Best R&B, soul and Reggae, “Metro FM Music Awards” as Best African Pop Album, Best Female Artist and best song of the year “Phendula”.
In 2013 She was also norminated in 19th Annual South African Music Awards as Best Collaboration by her “Thetha Nami” featuring Riot, “Hold On {Bambelela} featuring LeRoy Bell and the Soweto Gospel Choir} “Best Live DVD as the Beginning Live, MTN SAMA Record of the Year by “Umthwalo” and Best Selling Ring-Back Tone and won the Award.
In 2012 she joined “Kora Awards” in the Category of “Best Female artist from Southern Africa by Her hit song “Loliwe” and won the Award, “Channel O Music Video Awards” in the Category of “Best Female Video again on “Loliwe” and won the Award.
“18th Annual South African Music Awards” in the category of “Best Smooth Urban Music Album” by Loliwe, “Best Collaboration by “Incwad Encane” featuring George Munetsi. “Best Selling Album, New Comer of the year, Female Artist of the year, Best Album of the year, Best selling Full-Track download of the year, Best Remix of the year On “Lengoma” featuring DJ Sbu and “The Headies in “African Artist of the Year
Zahara was also included in charity actions like helping the Needy and the poor like the Activities she joined in the South African Villages to help the citizens with poverty, She passed away still having some projects connected to that spirit .
