Entertainment
Zahara, the late ‘Loliwe’ hitmaker. What happened?
Zahara and her guitar made an incredible and lasting impact in South African music.
Zahara, whose real name was Bulelwa Mkutukana, died Monday 11th, December 2023, her family said in a statement posted on her official page on X, formerly Twitter. It gave no cause of death. The family said last month that Zahara had been admitted to a hospital with an undisclosed issue and had asked for privacy.
Last month, her manager, Oyama Dyosiba, confirmed she had been hospitalized “following complaints about physical pains”. She had suffered liver disease after problems with alcoholism, confirmed by Dyosiba in 2019.
I was saddened by this news as Zahara was one of my first introductions to South African music, my favorite song being DJ Sbu feat. Zahara – Lengoma. Netizens around the world have been confused by her untimely death and sad as they say that Zahara healed souls with her music.
Claims have been circulating the internet about her alcoholism and the cause of her dipping into bad health. This was about her contract with her record label as it was too much for her and this made her dip into alcohol. Her sister Nomonde said that year doctors had told her, “If [Zahara] continues drinking, she is going to die … We are making sure that there is always someone around her to monitor her so that she doesn’t start drinking again”.
Also in 2021, in an interview, DJ Sbu claimed Zahara had been paid for her Loliwe album. However, speaking to TshisaLIVE, Zahara said that she has never received any funds for her work with the Loliwe album. “It’s all lies,” she said, fuming.
Why did Zahara write Loliwe?
Zahara said the song is primarily about the train that transported her fathers and forefathers from Johannesburg to East London during the Apartheid era. Furthermore, she said many people had hope that the train would bring their loved ones back.
Zahara won 17 South African music awards, was also recognized in Nigeria and was included on a list of the 100 most influential women in the world in 2020 by the BBC. She released four more albums — one of them triple platinum and one platinum.
RIP to the legend that introduced South African music to the world, truly she did cure souls with her music.
Below are some of the messages that people had to say about Zahara.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has postponed the premiere of her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, in light of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles.
Originally set to debut on January 15, the show will now launch on March 4. Meghan expressed gratitude to Netflix for supporting her decision to delay the release, saying, “I’m thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch, as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California.”
Netflix’s Tudum platform confirmed the postponement, highlighting that the show, a tribute to the beauty of Southern California, had been rescheduled due to the ongoing crisis.
Meghan and Prince Harry have actively supported relief efforts, offering their Montecito home as a refuge for friends and loved ones displaced by the fires. On January 10, they distributed food and supplies in Pasadena, met with affected families, and thanked first responders for their work. Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo commended the couple, saying their presence uplifted spirits and provided hope to those impacted.
The couple also released a statement urging residents to assist evacuees, check on vulnerable neighbors, and donate essential items to families who’ve lost everything. They encouraged support for organizations like the American Red Cross, which is actively aiding wildfire victims.
Through their actions and advocacy, Meghan and Harry continue to demonstrate their commitment to supporting communities in times of crisis.
Netflix is set to broaden its repertoire of African storytelling with the premiere of Mo-Faya, an enthralling new drama series from acclaimed creator and director Reuben Odanga.
The seven-episode series is scheduled to launch on December 20, 2024, offering audiences a unique blend of intense drama and telenovela flair.
Mo-Faya takes viewers on a journey through Nairobi’s vibrant streets and into the lesser-seen corners of Western Kenya, an area rarely spotlighted in mainstream media. The show centers on Zawadie, whose life unravels after learning life-altering secrets about her family. Determined to rebuild, she begins a new chapter with her boyfriend, Brian. But when she discovers his dangerous double life, Zawadie is drawn into a shadowy world filled with betrayal and crime.
The series features a mix of seasoned talent and emerging stars, including Lorna Lemi (Nairobby), Brahim Ouma (Pepeta), and newcomers Tobit Tom and Mathew Ngugi. Also joining the cast are Alex Mwakideu (Nafsi), Blessing Lung’aho (Country Queen), Basil Mungai (Kina), Tessy Njine (Selina), and the well-known media personality Cate Rira.
Reuben Odanga, known for his work on the critically acclaimed, Kalasha Award-winning telenovela Selina, brings his expertise to Mo-Faya, marking his first series for Netflix. His directorial debut feature film, Nafsi, was also featured on the platform in 2022, solidifying his reputation as a pioneer in Kenyan storytelling.
Mo-Faya promises to bring a fresh and compelling voice to the global stage of drama.
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