Bulelwa Mkutukana, widely known as Zahara, an award-winning South African Afro-pop singer, has died, according to the country’s cultural minister.
She had been hospitalized, purportedly due to liver issues, and the government had been aiding the family “for some time,” according to Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa.
The diva rose to prominence in 2011 with her album Loliwe, which was well received throughout Africa.
In 2019, Zahara revealed her struggle with alcoholism.
“Zahara and her guitar made an incredible and lasting impact in South African music,” Mr Kodwa posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Last month, the musician’s family acknowledged her hospitalization and asked South Africans to remember her in their prayers.
She died on Monday night at the age of 36 in a Johannesburg hospital, according to the official broadcaster, SABC.
In a statement posted on Zahara’s Instagram account, her family said: “She was a pure light, and an even purer heart, in this world. A beacon of hope, a gift, and a blessing to us and countless people around the world.”
Fans have been grieving and sharing fond memories of her on social media.
“She left us with such beautiful music,” one X user posted.
Zahara, who recorded five albums, earned dozens of local and international prizes. She was included to the BBC’s 100 Women list in 2020.
The songwriter also utilized her platform to speak out against violence against women in South Africa, something she admitted happened to her.
In an interview with a local radio station last year, Zahara stated that her music was created not for recognition but to console broken hearts in need of healing.
