Zahara (born 9 November 1987), whose real name is Bulelwa Mkutukana, was a popular South African singer and songwriter.
She was born into the family of Mr and Mrs Nokhaya and Mlamli Mkutukana. Bulelwa Mkutukana is the sixth of seven children and she displayed her love for singing at age 6.
She first came to wider attention when she was appointed the lead singer of a local Sunday school choir in Phumlani. Her stage name means “blooming flower”; as a child, she was known by the nickname “Spinach”.
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.
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|---|---|
| Full Name | Bulelwa Mkutukana |
| Date of Birth | 9 November 1987 (age 36 years old) |
| Place of Birth | Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Gender | Female |
| Occupation | Actress, Television Presenter |
| Nationality | South African |
| Net Worth | $1 million |
Zahara Age
Zahara was born on the 9th of November 1987 in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. She died in Johannesborg, South Africa, at the age of 36.
Zahara Career
Zahara was a singer-songwriter, poet, recording artist, and performer. Her career kicked off when she was spotted singing on the streets of East London by TK Nciza of TS Records, who eventually signed her to his label.
Her music had been described as a mixture of styles that have been popularized by Tracy Chapman and India.Arie. She sings in her native language, Xhosa, as well as in English, and her music is classified loosely as “Afrosoul”.
Zahara released her first album in 2011 titled Loliwe. Within 72 hours, the first issue was sold out. 19 days later, the album reached double-platinum status in South Africa by surpassing the 100,000 sales mark, making her the second musician after Brenda Fassie, who was also a Xhosa native, to reach this figure in such record time.
Zahara released her first live DVD which featured X-Factor USA contestant LeRoy Bell, and according to the standards set by the Recording Industry of South Africa, the DVD reached platinum in one day.
In 2012, Nelson Mandela invited her to his home to perform a private bedside concert. She composed a song titled “Nelson Mandela” in his honor and released it as an EP.
Zahara signed with Warner Music South Africa in 2017 and released Mgodi, her fourth studio album. The album went gold after only six hours. Zahara is the brand ambassador for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.
Zahara Death
Zahara died on December 11, 2023, at a hospital in Johannesburg. She died following liver complications, which warranted hospital admission in November but worsened until she became unresponsive. She was 36 years old.
Net Worth
She had an estimated net worth of $1 million which she has earned as a musician.
Discography
- Loliwe (2011)
- The Beginning Live (2012)
- Nelson Mandela (2013)
- Phendula (2013)
- Country Girl (2015)
- Mgodi (2017)
Awards
- 2014: Best Female Southern Africa during the African Muzik Magazine Awards
- 2014: Best Selling Album for the album Phendula during the 20th Annual South African Music Awards
- 2014: Female Artist of the Year for the album Phendula during the 20th Annual South African Music Awards
- 2013: Southern African Artiste of the Year during the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
- 2013: Best Collaboration during the 19th Annual South African Music Awards for the song ‘Thetha Nami’.
- 2013: Best Selling Ring-Back-Tone for the song ‘Loliwe’ during the 19th Annual South African Music Awards for the song ‘Thetha Nami’.
- 2012: Best Female Artist from Southern Africa during the Kora Awards.
- 2012: Best Female Video ‘Loliwe’ during the Channel O Music Video Awards.
- 2012: Best Collaboration “Incwad’ Encane” during the 18th Annual South African Music Awards.
- 2012: Best Selling Album “Loliwe” during the 18th Annual South African Music Awards.
- 2012: Female Artist of the Year during the 18th Annual South African Music Awards.
- 2012: Newcomer of the Year during the 18th Annual South African Music Awards.
- 2012: Album of the Year “Loliwe” during the 18th Annual South African Music Awards.
- 2012: Best Selling Full-Track Download of the Year “Loliwe” during the 18th Annual South African Music Awards.
- 2012: Remix of the Year “Lengoma” during the 18th Annual South African Music Awards.
- 2011: Best Female Album “Loliwe” during the Metro FM Music Awards.
- 2011: Song of the Year “Loliwe” during the Metro FM Music Awards.
- 2011: Hit Single Of The Year “Lengoma” during the Metro FM Music Awards.
- 2011: She won an Award during the Feather Awards.
Nominations
Apart from her numerous awards, Zahara has been nominated for numerous awards, below is a list of her nominations
- 20th Annual South African Music Awards
Year Prize Nominated work
2014 Best RnB, Soul and Reggae Phendula
- Metro FM Music Awards
Year Prize Nominated work
2014 Best African Pop Album Phendula
Best Female Artist Phendula
Song of the Year Phendula
- 19th Annual South African Music Awards
Year Prize Nominated work
2013 Best Collaboration Hold On (Bambelela)
Best Live DVD The Beginning Live
MTN SAMA Record Of The Year Umthwalo
- The Headies
Year Prize Nominated work
2012 African Artist of the Year “Loliwe”
- Metro FM Music Award
Year Prize Nominated work
2011 Best Produced Album Loliwe
Best Newcomer Loliwe
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