Zahara, also known as Bulelwa Mkutukana, was a cherished South African singer-songwriter who sadly passed away on December 11th, 2023. Her claim to fame came in 2011 with her debut album “Loliwe,” which achieved double platinum status.
Zahara sang in both English and Xhosa, her native language, infusing her music with a distinctive cultural richness.
In this post, you’ll find everything you need to know about Zahara, her biography, age, birthday, caree, parents siblings, and more.
Zahara Early Life and Education
Zahara Whose real name is Bulelwa Mkutukana was Born in East London, South Africa in 1987. Zahara grew up in the Phumlani village in East London, South Africa..
She was a self-taught musician who started playing guitar at a young age. As the sixth child among seven siblings, Zahara displayed her musical talents from a young age.
At six years old, she joined her school’s choir and swiftly rose to become the lead vocalist.
By the age of nine, her impressive singing abilities secured her a place in the senior choir, highlighting her innate musical gift.
Specifics about Zahara’s formal education remain elusive, but as she matured, her interests leaned increasingly towards music.
She self-taught herself guitar, diving headlong into the realm of music, refining her abilities, and crafting her distinctive musical approach.
Even in the face of personal adversity, such as the heartbreaking loss of her younger brother in 2014, Zahara’s dedication to music continued to fuel her aspirations.
Zahara Parents and Siblings
Zahara has two sets of parents and families: her biological ones from Ethiopia and her adoptive ones from the United States. Here is some information about them:
– Her biological mother is Mentewab Dawit Lebiso, who gave birth to Zahara after being raped. She named her Yemasrech, meaning “good news”. She left Zahara in the care of her grandmother, Almaz Elfneh, due to financial and health problems. She later expressed her desire to see Zahara again and hear her voice.
– Her biological father is unknown, but he was reportedly a student who raped Lebiso when she was 19 years old. He was never arrested or charged for the crime.
– Her adoptive mother is Angelina Jolie, a famous Hollywood actress and humanitarian. She adopted Zahara from an orphanage in Ethiopia in 2005, when Zahara was seven months old. She initially believed Zahara was an AIDS orphan, but later learned that her biological mother was alive.
– Her adoptive father is Brad Pitt, a famous Hollywood actor and producer. He became Zahara’s legal adoptive father in 2006, after he and Jolie got married. He has been involved in Zahara’s life since her adoption and has supported her education and cultural identity.
– Her adoptive siblings are Maddox, Pax, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne. Maddox and Pax are also adopted from Cambodia and Vietnam, respectively. Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne are Jolie and Pitt’s biological children. Zahara is close to all of them and often attends events and travels with them.
Zahara Career
Zahara, whose real name is Bulelwa Mkutukana, was a South African musician who sang in Xhosa and English.
She started her career as a street performer in East London before being signed by TS Records. Her debut album, Loliwe, was released in 2011 and went double platinum in 19 days. She won eight awards at the South African Music Awards in 2012. She released four more albums, Phendula, Country Girl, Mgodi, and Nqaba Yam, which were also successful. She died on 11 December 2023 at the age of 36.
Zahara Songs
- Loliwe (2011)
- Phendula (2013)
- Mgodi (2016)
- Nqaba Yam (2021)
- “Lengoma” (2012)
- “Yibanathi” (2013)
- “Izolo” (2018)
- “Nyamezela” (2022)
Personal Life
Zahara experienced a blend of joy and sorrow in her romantic journey. Initially, she was in a long-term relationship with Ian Sibiya, which eventually came to an end.
In 2023, she discovered love anew with Mpho Xaba, and their engagement was embraced with tremendous happiness and jubilation.
However, a personal tragedy struck soon after Zahara’s lobola ceremony, affecting her health and ultimately contributing to her complications and passing in December 2023.
Zahara’s Death
Zahara, the South African musician, passed away on Monday, 11 December 2023, at the age of 36. She had been in hospital for a week with liver complications, according to her family and manager
Net Worth
Zahara’s Net Worth was estimated to be around $250,000 as at when she died.
Leave a Reply