Bulelwa Mkutukana (9 November 1987 – 11 December 2023), known by her stage name Zahara, was a South African musician. Her music was classified loosely as "Afro-soul", and she sang in Xhosa, her native language, as well as in English. Zahara Zahara performing in Nairobi, 2013 Background informationBirth nameBulelwa MkutukanaAlso known asZaharaBorn9 November 1987 East London, South AfricaDied11 December 2023 (aged 36) Johannesburg, South AfricaGenresAfro-soulOccupation(s) Musiciansinger Instrument(s) Vocalsacoustic guitar Years active2009–2023Labels TSEMIMusic Lives HereWarner After signing a record deal with TS Records, Mkutukana's debut album, Loliwe (2011), went double platinum. Her second album, Phendula (2013), produced three chart-topping singles "Phendula", "Impilo", and "Stay". Zahara's third album, Country Girl (2015), was certified triple platinum. Following her departure from TS Records, she signed a record ...