South African music icon Zahara dies at 35

 

Award-winning South African Afro-pop singer Bulelwa Mkutukana, popularly known as Zahara is dead.

Her death was announced by the country’s culture minister.

She had been in hospital, reportedly with liver complications, and the government had been assisting the family “for some time”, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa said.

The songstress won fame in 2011 with her album Loliwe, loved across Africa.

In 2019, Zahara opened up about up her battle with alcohol addiction.

Last month, the family confirmed she had been admitted to hospital and called on South Africans to keep the musician in their prayers.

She passed away on Monday night in a Johannesburg hospital.