After her death at the age of 36, award-winning South African singer Zahara, whose debut record made her an instant pop star, was remembered on Tuesday.
South Africa’s arts minister and Zahara’s record label announced her death late Monday in a Johannesburg hospital where she had been taken earlier this month.
Zahara, who was born Bulelwa Mkutukana to a destitute family in a village near East London, became famous for her characteristic guitar and massive Afro hairstyle.
Zahara grew up singing in choruses and learning to play the guitar. Her vocals have been compared to Tracy Chapman, Joan Armatrading, and India Arie.
Her debut album, Loliwe, sold out in 72 hours when she first appeared on the music scene in 2011.
In 2012, Zahara performed alongside Hugh Masekela, James Ingram, and Lauryn Hill at Africa’s largest jazz festival.
She recorded five albums and received 17 South African Music Awards, the country’s highest honor.
Zahara told AFP in 2012 that she had performed at the home of South Africa’s anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela.
“That was emotional for me. I remember I cried when I started singing to the finish and I even messed up my song,” she recalled.
Sports, arts and culture minister Zizi Kodwa wrote on X, the former Twitter, that she was “very saddened” by the death of the singer.
Warner Music Africa, her record company, also said it was “mourning” the death.
“Her lasting memory in our hearts and mind must be her ability to bring comfort and resonate with the struggles of the poorest of the poor,” the radical Economic Freedom Fighters opposition party said in a statement.
No cause of death has been announced but Zahara was admitted to hospital last month “following complaints about physical pains”, according to a family statement at the time.
In 2019, her manager revealed she was battling liver disease.