It was an emotional affair at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg, Johannesburg as musicians and other entertainment industry players came together to remember multi-award winning musician Zahara (real name Bulelwa Matukana) who succumbed to illness on Monday, just over a month after turning 36.
The musician had apparently been battling a liver disease.
Musician and broadcaster Unathi Nkayi who was the MC at the memorial service called on South Africans to pause the discourse about whether the star-singer got a raw deal from the entertainment industry. This as questions are raised on whether she was remunerated fairly for her talent with many accusing TS Records, owned by musician as well as anchor Sibusiso Leope otherwise known as Dj Sbu and ANC Gauteng Provincial Secretary TK Nciza of ripping her off after discovering and giving her a break on the big stage.
“it is an unfair question to raise. She just passed on. I think it’s important to celebrate a person’s life and not get caught up in politics as some people want us to. Every country I’ve gone to on the continent of Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro (presumably Kenya) Egypt, Cairo Tunisia, they’ve all played her music and that’s the legacy we should be focusing on.
Nkayi also dismissed perceptions that South African entertainers were dying too young saying it’s a nationwide problem rather than an industry issue, that South Africans generally have a shorter life span and are not confined to artists.
“ It’s a concern for any human being, guys, she was young. Even doctors if they die young are too young, even lawyers if they die young are too young. Anyone who passes away under 40 is dying too soon. She left us too soon but her legacy will be with us forever”
Zahara’s body was expected to be transported to the Eastern Cape where she’s scheduled to be buried on Friday.