Close friends and family of beloved musician Zahara, born Bulelwa Mkutukana, gathered to celebrate her first heavenly birthday. Zahara, who passed away in December 2023 at age 36 following a brief illness, was remembered in an emotional and heartfelt gathering in East London.
The day began with a visit to Phumlani Cemetery, where Zahara’s loved ones laid fresh flowers on her grave. Afterward, they returned home to continue celebrating her life with a traditional braai, where her music filled the air. The centerpiece of the gathering was a custom-made cake featuring an image of Zahara holding her iconic guitar.
“It was a bittersweet celebration,” Zahara’s sister, Bandezwa Mkutukana-Febana, shared with TshisaLIVE. “It was painful, especially for my mother, as it’s our first birthday without her. But we’re grateful to Lusanda Mbane, a close friend of Zahara, who joined us. She lifted the mood and reminded us of the brighter side of the day.”
For the family, it was also the first time they could listen to Zahara’s songs without breaking down in tears. “It felt like we had reached a turning point. We wanted to end our mourning period in December on her death anniversary, but this birthday felt different. We believe Zahara was smiling down on us,” Mkutukana-Febana said.
Determined to keep Zahara’s legacy alive, the family plans to host a public event on December 11 to honour her memory. They also intend to release Zahara’s planned music, including new projects she had started before her passing. “She was about to move overseas for a record deal in Canada, and we had music planned with her as her sisters. We will make sure her music lives on,” Mkutukana-Febana added.
Zahara’s family is committed to following in her musical footsteps. “Though at one stage we thought of giving up music, our father encouraged us to keep going,” she explained. “We’re not sure how, but we’ll find a way to carry on her legacy and honor the gift she gave us.”
