South African Afro-pop singer Zahara died Monday evening at the age of 36, the South African government and her record label said.
Zahara, who sang in English and the dialect of her homeland, Xhosa, one of South Africa’s official languages, has often been compared for her style and voice to North American artist Tracy Chapman.
The singer, whose real name was Bulelwa Mkutukana, died in a Johannesburg hospital.
She has released five albums and won 17 South African music awards.
“I am very saddened by the passing of Zahara,” South African Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa said on Platform X, highlighting that “she and her guitar had an incredible and lasting impact on southern music,” he stressed.
His publisher Warner Music Africa said he was “in mourning”.
The singer was hospitalized last month “due to unspecified pain,” according to her family.
Zahara has spoken publicly about her struggles with alcohol addiction, and in 2019, her manager revealed that she was suffering from liver disease.
Zahara comes from a village near East London (South East) and had humble origins. She achieved success with her first album “Loliwe” in 2011, which saw sales skyrocket in record time.
The artist began singing in choirs and learned to play the viola, her voice and style were often compared to the voice and style of North American singers Tracy Chapman and India Arie, as well as British singer Joan Armatrading.
The singer, along with Hugh Masekela, James Ingram and Lauryn Hill, was invited to the largest jazz festival in Africa, which was held in Cape Town in 2012.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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