Big-Ben, Erna Chimu pay tribute to ‘Loliwe’ singer

South African jazz sensation Bulelwa Mkutukana, commonly known as Zahara, died on Monday evening at a private Johannesburg hospital.

She was 35 years old.

South African minister of sports, arts and culture Zizi Kodwa confirmed this on ‘X,’ formerly known as Twitter.

“I am very saddened by the passing of @ZaharaSA. My deepest condolences to the Mkutukana family and the South African music industry,” the tweet reads.

Zahara’s fiance Mpho Xaba was at her side when she died.

Reports say she had liver complications, however, the family is yet to confirm her cause of death.

TRIBUTES

“She was one of my favourites,” one of Zahara’s Namibian fans wrote on Facebook upon hearing the news.

Zahara has graced Namibian stages on various platforms, including the Windhoek Jazz Festival.

Speaking to The Namibian yesterday, Afro-jazz singer Erna Chimu, who shared the stage with Zahara on various occasions, described her death as a great loss to the music industry in Namibia, South Africa and the rest of the world.

“I admired her craftsmanship and artistry,” Chimu said.

According to Chimu, she worked alongside Zahara in preparation for the Windhoek Jazz Festival several times.

“Her overall stage command was outstanding,” Chimu said.

“As a performer, there’s so much I have learnt and admired from her.”

Chimu wished the family well as they mourn Zahara.

“My condolences to her family, friends and entire fan base during this difficult time.”

Award-winning Namibian musician Big Ben, who also shared the stage with Zahara, said she had the ability to transform between being a performer and an ordinary person off stage.

“I have warmed up the stage for her so many times before. I admired how she could just own her music and the crowd simultaneously,” he said.

He remembers one of the last times he performed with Zahara.

“Not too long ago, Zahara and I had an impromptu performance at a hotel in Swakopmund,” he said, describing her as South Africa’s biggest artist following Brenda Fassie’s death.

“This is how I view her because her music was able to travel miles ahead of her, her songs would be popular in countries she has not visited yet.

He too joined in to wish the bereaved family his condolences.

“Let me wish the family of the late Zahara strength during this time of mourning,” he said.

“We must remember that it is only the body that retires, her music and spirit lives on.”