South African singer Bulelwa Mkutukana who is popularly known as Zahara died on Monday night shortly before 9 pm.
The Loliwe hitmaker passed away while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Although her family is yet to release an official statement about her passing, two weeks ago, it sought to clarify rumors around her hospitalization.
In a statement that was shared on her Instagram page, the family confirmed that she had been admitted with physical pain.
“We wanted to take this opportunity as a family to express gratitude for the outpouring of love, support and compassion for our dearest Zahara since the recent media articles about the nature of her health. For your kindness and concern, and because we know you love Zahara, we wanted to give you an update on our daughter’s health.
“Zahara has been admitted to the hospital for a week following complaints about physical pains. The doctors are working diligently and we await further updates from them,” the family stated.
It has however emerged that the 36-year old succumbed to liver complications. That is accordng to the South African Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa, who also said that the government had been supporting the family for sometime.
“I am very saddened by the passing of @ZaharaSA. My deepest condolences to the Mkutukana family and the South African music industry. The government has been with the family for some time now. Zahara and her guitar made an incredible and lasting impact in South African music,” he shared on X.
Previously, the singer had battled alcohol addiction and depression after the loss of her brother and cyber bullying.
Zahara rose to popularity in her country as well as in Africa following the release of her album Loliwe in 2011.
She has reportedly garnered a total of 48 awards locally and international.
In 2022, she said that her music is intended to comfort broken souls and not for providing her recognition.
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