A second memorial service of the late South African award-winning singer and songwriter Zahara – real name Bulelwa Mkutukana is currently taking place in her hometown, East London; the singer’s family, friends, and fans have gathered at the ELICC (East London International Convention Center, Eastern Cape) where they have come to bid farewell to the Loliwe hitmaker.
Zahara’s memorial service started at 11:00 am on Friday, 22 December. The beloved award-winning singer and songwriter died at Olievedale Netcare Hospital in Johannesburg on Monday, 11 December “surrounded by family and loved ones,” a family statement previously shared. She passed away after suffering from a short illness allegedly linked to liver complications.
Zahara’s body arrived in her hometown following her first memorial service which took place at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg, on Thursday, 14 December. She will be finally laid to rest tomorrow, Saturday, 23 December.
Zahara’s sisters, Lumka and Bandezwa Mkutukana are said to still be struggling to come to terms with the singer’s death, TshisaLIVE reported. Speaking with the publication earlier this week, the sisters were quoted as saying:
“Her departure to us is as if we’re dreaming. We still can’t believe it. We’ve been robbed of something precious to us. We feel like she’ll just make a call to tell us how life’s going in the country she has visited”.
Zahara
Zahara was born on 9 November 1988 and died on 11 December 2023. Image via Instagram Stories @zaharasa/ via Instagram @zahaasa
MORE ABOUT THE SINGER’S CAUSE OF DEATH
Zahara’s brother, Junior Mkutukana is said to have reportedly opened an inquest into the late singer’s death, Sunday World reported. The publication reported that the inquest was taken down by Constable Modupe and checked by Warrant Officer Netshiunda.
“The complainant, Mr Mkutukana, alleged that on 2023-12-11 at about 12:00 he was at Roodepoort when Bulelwa Mkutukana complained of stomach pains. She was taken to Olievedale Netcare Hospital and was declared dead,” the publication quoted.
It was also reported that the Phendula hitmaker’s family suspects Zahara could possibly have been poisoned by her enemies.