Zahara (South African musician)

South African musician (1987–2023)

Zahara

Zahara performing in Nairobi, 2013

Background information
Birth name| Bulelwa Mkutukana
Also known as| Zahara
Born| (1987-11-09)9 November 1987
East London, South Africa
Died| 11 December 2023(2023-12-11) (aged 36)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Genres| Afro-soul
Occupations|

* Musician
* singer

Instruments|

* Vocals
* acoustic guitar

Years active| 2009–2023
Labels|

* TS
* EMI
* Music Lives Here
* Warner

Musical artist

Bulelwa Mkutukana (9 November 1987 – 11 December 2023), known by her stage name Zahara, was a South African singer, songwriter and guitarist. Her music was classified loosely as "Afro-soul", and she sang in Xhosa, her native language, as well as in English.

After signing a record deal with TS Records, Mkutukana's debut album, Loliwe (2011), went double platinum. Her second album, Phendula (2013), produced three chart-topping singles "Phendula", "Impilo", and "Stay". Zahara's third album, Country Girl (2015), was certified triple platinum. Following her departure from TS Records, she signed a record deal with Warner Music.[1] Her fourth album, Mgodi (2017), was her best-selling album and was certified platinum, while her fifth album, Nqaba Yam (2021), peaked at number 1 on iTunes.[2]

Her accolades included seventeen South African Music Awards, three Metro FM Awards, and one Nigeria Entertainment Award.[3] Zahara was on the 2020 list of the BBC's 100 Women.[4] She appeared as a guest judge on the seventeenth season of Idols South Africa in 2021.[5]

## Early life

[edit]

Born as Bulelwa Mkutukana in the Phumlani Informal Settlement of East London in Eastern Cape, South Africa,[6] Zahara was raised there with her parents Nokhaya and Mlamli Mkutukana, the sixth of seven children.[7] Zahara started singing in her school's choir when she was six years old, becoming the lead singer there,[8] and at the age of nine, she was asked to join the senior choir because of her strong voice.[9] Her stage name means "blooming flower" in Arabic.[8] As a child, she was known by the nickname "Spinach" after her love of vegetables.[10]

## Career

[edit]

Zahara's music is classified loosely as "Afro-soul" and she sang in her native language, Xhosa, as well as in English.[11] Her music has been described as a mixture of styles popularized by Tracy Chapman and India Arie.[12]

Zahara started her career busking on the streets of East London. She was signed to the label TS Records by TK Nciza.[13]

Zahara's debut album Loliwe was released in 2011, with the first issue being sold out within 72 hours.[11] Nineteen days later, the album sold more than 100,000 copies, reaching double platinum status in South Africa.[14] This made her the second musician to reach this figure in such record time after Brenda Fassie, also a Xhosa native.[15] Zahara released her first live DVD The Beginning Live in 2012, featuring X-Factor USA contestant LeRoy Bell, which reached platinum in one day, according to the standards set by the Recording Industry of South Africa.[16]

On 1 May 2012, at the annual South African Music Awards, Zahara won eight awards, including "Best Female Artist" and "Album of the Year".[17]

In 2013, Zahara released her second studio album, Phendula, which won three South African Music Awards for Best Selling Album, Best R&B, Soul and Reggae Album and Best Female Artist of the Year. The same year, Nelson Mandela invited her to his home to perform a private bedside concert. She then composed "Nelson Mandela" in his honour and released it as an EP.[18]

### 2014–2018: Country Girl, Mgodi

[edit]

In July 2014, Zahara's younger brother was murdered in East London. According to Zahara, she went through a period of depression after his death, but recovered enough for the 2015 release of Country Girl.[19] In 2015 at the Eastern Cape Music Awards, she won the two awards "Best Female" and "Best Artist 3".[20]

In early 2017, Zahara signed with Warner Music South Africa.[21] On 13 October 2017, she released her fourth studio album Mgodi,[22][23] which went gold after only six hours.[24][25] To further support the album, Zahara embarked on her Africa All Star Music Festival, visiting three venues in United States.[26] The tour began in Toronto, Canada, on 17 August 2019, and concluded on 24 August 2019, in Washington, D.C.[27]

Mgodi won Best Female Act at the 2018 Next Generation Entertainment Awards.[28][17]

### 2021–2023: Nqaba Yam

[edit]

Following a four-year hiatus, Zahara announced her fifth studio album on CapeTalk site and later released the album's lead single "Nyamezela" on 7 May 2021.[29] On 30 July 2021, she released a second single "Nqaba Yam".[30] The album was initially set to be released on 9 July 2021, but was delayed due to COVID-19 lockdowns and finally released on 13 August 2021.[31][32][33][34]

In December 2021, she teased her first Amapiano single on Twitter.[35] In November 2023, Zahara's debut amapiano single,"Guqa Ngedolo" was released.[36]

### Television

[edit]

In 2021, she made her television debut as a guest judge for Idols South Africa season 17, alongside Dineo Ranaka.[5]

## Death

[edit]

On 11 December 2023, Zahara died at a hospital in Johannesburg, at age 36.[37][38] She had been admitted mid-November with liver complications which worsened until she became unresponsive.[39] She had suffered with liver disease after problems with alcoholism, according to her manager in 2019.[40]

## Discography

[edit]

* Loliwe (2011)
* The Beginning Live (2012)
* Phendula (2013)
* Country Girl (2015)
* Mgodi (2017)
* Nqaba Yam (2021)

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

List of awards and nominations received by Zahara  Year  | Event  | Prize  | Nominated work  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

2014  | African Muzik Magazine Awards  | Best Female Southern Africa  |  | Won  | [41]
20th Annual South African Music Awards  | Best Selling Album  | Phendula | Won  | [42]
Female Artist of the Year  | Won
Best RnB, Soul and Reggae  | Nominated  | [43]
Metro FM Music Awards  | Best African Pop Album  | Nominated  | [44]
Best Female Artist  |  | Nominated
Song of the Year  | "Phendula"  | Nominated
2013  | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Southern African Artist of the Year  |  | Won  | [45]
19th Annual South African Music Awards | Best Collaboration  | "Thetha Nami"
(Riot featuring Zahara) | Won  | [46]
"Hold On (Bambelela)"
(Zahara featuring LeRoy Bell and the Soweto Gospel Choir) | Nominated  | [47]
Best Live DVD  | The Beginning Live | Nominated
MTN SAMA Record of the Year  | "Umthwalo"  | Nominated
Best Selling Ring-Back-Tone  | "Loliwe"  | Won  | [46]
2012  | Kora Awards | Best Female Artist from Southern Africa  | Won  | [48]
Channel O Music Video Awards | Best Female Video  | Won  | [49]
18th Annual South African Music Awards | Best Smooth Urban Music Album  | Loliwe | Won  | [50]
Best Collaboration  | "Incwad' Encane"
(Zahara featuring Georgie Munetsi) | Won
Best Selling Album  | Loliwe | Won
Newcomer of the Year  | "Loliwe"  | Won
Female Artist of the Year  | Won
Album of the Year  | Loliwe | Won
Best Selling Full-Track Download of the Year  | "Loliwe"  | Won  | [51]
Remix of the Year  | "Lengoma"
(DJ Sbu featuring Zahara) | Won
The Headies | African Artist of the Year  | "Loliwe"  | Nominated  | [52]
2011  | Metro FM Music Awards [A] | Best Produced Album  | Loliwe | Nominated  | [53][54][55]
Best Female Album  | Won
Best Newcomer  |  | Nominated
Song of the Year  | "Loliwe"  | Won
Hit Single of the Year  | "Lengoma"
(DJ Sbu featuring Zahara) | Won
Feather Awards  | Musician
(Zakes Bantwini and Zahara) |  | Won  | [56]
2017  | South African Afro Music Awards  | Herself  | Best Afro Female Artist  | Nominated  | [57]
Country Girl | Best Afro Album  | Nominated
2019  | Eastern Cape Music Awards  | Best EC National Recognised Artist  | Herself  | Nominated  | [58]
2020  | Africa Entertainment Awards USA 2020  | Best Female Artist  | Herself  | Won  | [59]
Best Female Artist  | Nominated
2024  | South African Afro Music Awards  | Best Afro Album of Democracy  |  | Pending  | [60]
Best Female Afro Soul Artist of Democracy  |  | Pending

Notes

* A ^ The Metro FM Music Awards were not held in 2012 due to re-positioning. The award ceremony was held in 2013.[61]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Another One! Zahara Has Left TS Records – OkMzansi". OkMzansi. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
2. ^ "Zahara's new feel-good album 'Nqaba Yam' already a hit with Mzansi". Independent Online. 13 August 2021.
3. ^ "Zahara | Warner Music South Africa". Warner Music South Africa. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
4. ^ "ZAHARA MAKES BBC 100 LIST | Warner Music South Africa". Warner Music South Africa. 27 November 2020. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
5. ^ a b "Zahara promises to do better as Idols SA guest judge | JustNje". JustNje. 4 October 2021. Archived from the original on 4 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
6. ^ "'She Poured Her Heart Out On Stage': South Africa's Entertainment Industry Reflects On Singer-Songwriter Zahara's Passing And Lasting Legacy". Forbes Africa. 12 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
7. ^ "Zahara arrives today". The Herald. 20 December 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
8. ^ a b Yoon, John (12 December 2023). "Zahara, Acclaimed South African Singer and Guitarist, Dies at 36". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
9. ^ "South Africa's Zahara to perform in Malawi – Malawi Nyasa Times – News from Malawi about Malawi". Nyasa Times. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
10. ^ "Zahara: strumming to greatness". News24. 16 September 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
11. ^ a b "Zahara Sells Out In 72 Hours". MIO. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
12. ^ "Zahara is going places real fast". Sowetan. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
13. ^ Mayne, Jane (7 December 2017). "Zahara Mgodi interview: Fun things about Zahara". Weekend Special.
14. ^ "Zahara's CD flies off shelves". Sowetan. Archived from the original on 15 March 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
15. ^ "Award-winning musician Zahara dies". The Citizen. 11 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
16. ^ Zaranyika, Tapiwanashe (12 December 2023). "'A pure light and purer heart' — tributes pour in for singer Zahara". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
17. ^ a b Zeeman, Kyle (21 October 2018). "Greatest hits! Zahara scoops 40th award". Times LIVE.
18. ^ "Zahara releases touching tribute to Mandela". News24. 7 April 2013.
19. ^ Thakurdin, Karishma (25 May 2015). "Zahara again denies 'alcoholism' and 'broke' reports". News24.
20. ^ "Eastern Cape Music Awards Winners – OkMzansi". OkMzansi. 20 October 2015.
21. ^ Modisane, Kgosi (5 July 2017). "Zahara lands new Warner Music deal – The Citizen". The Citizen.
22. ^ "Zahara gets ready to release her 4th album | Channel". News24. South Africa. 6 July 2017.
23. ^ "Zahara on releasing new album: My plan is to bring hope to every girl | Channel". Channel. South Africa. 29 August 2017.
24. ^ Herimbi, Helen (1 November 2017). "Zahara – 'Mgodi' is all about my journey". Independent Online.
25. ^ "South African Singer Zahara's Fourth Album Goes Gold within Hours of Release – OkayAfrica". OkayAfrica. 17 October 2017.
26. ^ Lesemane, Lineo. "ZAHARA'S READY FOR HER AMERICAN TOUR!". Daily SUN. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
27. ^ "Zahara To Go On North American Tour All Throughout August". Zkhiphani. 15 August 2018.
28. ^ Ngwadla, Nkosazana (16 October 2018). "Zahara bags 40th music award | Drum". News24. South Africa.
29. ^ Shumba, Ano (7 May 2021). "SA: Zahara releases Nyamezela single ahead of fifth album | Music In Africa". Music In Africa.
30. ^ Shumba, Ano (30 July 2021). "SA: Listen to Zahara's new single Nqaba Yam | Music In Africa". Music In Africa.
31. ^ "Zahara puts troll in its place after questioning her popularity". Independent Online. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
32. ^ Wagiet, Rafiq (26 June 2021). "South African musician Zahara set to release her fifth studio album". Cape Talk.
33. ^ Mike, Steven (13 August 2021). "Zahara Nqaba Yam Album". iminathi.
34. ^ "Zahara releases new album, Nqaba Yam | JustNje". JustNje. 13 August 2021. Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
35. ^ "Zahara Teases Her First Amapiano Single, Fans React". ZAtunes. 8 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
36. ^ Seemela, Masego (2 November 2023). "Zahara makes her debut as new amapiano queen". Sowetan Live. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
37. ^ "Zahara: South African music icon dies aged 36". 12 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
38. ^ Wycliffe Muia (12 December 2023). "Zahara: South African music icon Zahara dies aged 36". bbc.com. BBC News. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
39. ^ Joel Ontong (12 December 2023). "'Incredible and lasting impact': Tributes pour in after 'true music icon' Zahara dies". Independent Online. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
40. ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (12 December 2023). "Zahara, platinum-selling South African singer-songwriter, dies aged 35". The Guardian.
41. ^ "Sarkodie, Fuse ODG, DJ Black, others win at AFRIMMA Awards". Ghana Web. 27 July 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
42. ^ "Mafikizolo Dominates SAMA 20 With Eight Awards". Rolling Stone, South Africa. 29 April 2014. Archived from the original on 30 April 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
43. ^ "A full list of all the 2014 SAMA nominees". Channel24. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
44. ^ Boshomane, Lebogang (17 January 2014). "13th Metro FM Music Awards nominees announced". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
45. ^ "Olamide emerges biggest winner at NEA 2013 [Full Winners List]". The Net Nigeria. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
46. ^ a b "WINNERS". SAMA. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
47. ^ "THE 19TH ANNUAL MTN SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES". SAMA. Archived from the original on 27 March 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
48. ^ "Full List: All The Winners From the KORA Awards". Ghafla. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
49. ^ "Full list of winners at the 2012 Channel O Music Video Awards". ModernGhana. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
50. ^ "THE 18TH ANNUAL MTN SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC AWARDS AND THE WINNERS ARE..." SAMA. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
51. ^ "Full List Of Winners: 2012 MTN SA Music Awards". justcurious. Archived from the original on 9 August 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
52. ^ "THE HEADIES (HIP HOP WORLD AWARDS 2012) WINNERS LIST". Hip Hop World Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
53. ^ "2011 Metro FM Music Awards – all the winners". TVSA. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
54. ^ "AKA Dominates Metro FM Awards". MIO. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
55. ^ Koyana, Xolani (1 May 2012). "Newcomer Zahara blows away opposition at SAMA awards". Cape Times. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
56. ^ "Feather Awards 2011". YWorld. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
57. ^ Shumba, Ano (24 November 2020). "SA: Vusi Nova wins two SAAFMAs | Music In Africa". Music In Africa.
58. ^ Seroto, Butchie (20 September 2019). "SA Eastern Cape Music Awards: All the nominees". Music In Africa.
59. ^ Ilado, Lucy (22 December 2020). "Africa Entertainment Awards USA 2020: All the winners". Music In Africa.
60. ^ Modiba, Rorisang (13 August 2024). "Zahara nominated for two Afro Music Awards". Scrolla Africa. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
61. ^ "SABC Announces Plans For 12th MMA". Metrofm. Archived from the original on 28 December 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.

## External links

[edit]

* Zahara discography at Discogs

* v
* t
* e

Zahara

Studio albums|

* Loliwe (2011)
* Phendula (2013)
* Country Girl (2015)
* Mgodi (2017)

Extended plays|

* Nelson Mandela (2013)

Singles|

* "Loliwe"
* "Phendula"

DVD releases|

The Beginning Live

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* Germany
* United States

Artists|

* MusicBrainz

Other|

* Yale LUX

*[Ref.]: References
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template