South African Afro-pop award-winning musician Bulelwa Mkutukana, commonly known as Zahara, has passed away at the age of 36 due to liver complications.

Zahara was known for her songs like Ndisa, Loliwe, Yadizida , Phendula, to mention but a few.

The demise of the musician was announced by South Africa’s Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa on Tuesday, December 12, 2023.

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

Kodwa added on his social media X that Zahara and her guitar made an incredible and lasting impact on South African music.

In 2019, Zahara opened up about her battle with alcohol addiction, and in November 2023, Zahara’s family confirmed that she had been admitted to the hospital and called on South Africans to keep the musician in their prayers.

As the family is yet to release an official statement, fans have been grieving and sharing fond memories of the icon on social media.

Several of her fans went to social media and expressed their condolences and the legacy she has left behind in the entertainment industry.

“She has left a lasting legacy for those who love her and her music. I’ll always remember how some of my friends and I loved “Loliwe” so much that we decided to try and sing it in my native language,” Kibet wrote.

Zahara won fame in 2011 with her album Loliwe, which was loved across Africa, and in 2020, she was named on the BBC’s 100 influential women list. She also released five albums and won several awards, both on the local and international scenes.

The youthful and energetic music icon also used her platform to speak out about gender-based violence in South Africa, something she revealed had happened to her.

In an interview last year, Zahara said that her music was not for recognition but to bring comfort to broken souls that needed healing.