By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The multi-platinum award-winning singer-songwriter Bulelwa “Zahara” Mkutukana, has been laid to rest at the Phumlani cemetery in East London in the Eastern Cape.
She died in a Johannesburg hospital earlier this month after a short illness. Zahara was 36.
The funeral was attended by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, kwaito legend Eugene Mthethwa, Ringo, Bethusile, senior government figures, and traditional leaders.
A fellow friend and musician Vusi Nova was one of hundreds in attendance at the multi-award winning songwriter and singer’s funeral held at the East London International Convention Centre.
While taking to the podium, a visibly distraught Nova took a few seconds to compose himself before delivering a heartfelt tribute to the 36-year-old.
“Bulelwa was special, she was extraordinary, “said Nova while wiping away tears.
“For me, right now, she was the one person who understood me. I understood her. Bulelwa took, literally, my secrets to the grave,” he added.
“She took all my secrets to the grave,” Nova repeated. “I want to promise her I will take her secrets to the grave.”
Nova relayed a story of when Zahara was in hospital, the Thursday before she passed.
“I walked in there as usual in the morning,” he explained and immediately thought the worst had happened because she wasn’t in her usual ward. He added she had been moved to a private room “without all pipes.”
He scolded his friend and told her to not “ever scare him again.”
Nova then performed one of Zahara’s most popular hymns ‘Lizalis’idinga Lakho’ which she previously recorded with the Soweto Gospel Choir.
Since the Loliwe hitmaker’s death, claims have surfaced over alleged unpaid royalties when she left TS Records.
TS Records was owned by TK Nciza and DJ Sbu, who discovered her in East London in 2009.
Nciza was also one of the many guest speakers who shared their experience of working with Zahara.
“It took me 30 seconds to see such a wonderful talent. Immediately I envisioned; I saw something extraordinary,” Nciza said.
Upon seeing her perform for the first time, he made up his mind to go back to the Eastern Cape, and eventually convinced his wife to let the singer stay with them.
“She made history by winning eight awards. No one has ever done that in the history of music in Mzansi. I want to thank the people of Mzansi for supporting Zahara,” he said.
The Minister of Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa said: “We are working tirelessly to address the issue of exploitation of artists. We have opened a recording studio in KZN, and artists are going to Gauteng of their own choice. Here in the Eastern Cape, we also need to create something like this so that artists do not have to go to Joburg to be exploited.
“I met Samro to discuss the issue of royalties because the artists are not happy with the royalties. The alleged exploitation of artists by record companies is currently being investigated.
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Video Courtesy of IceboLethu Group.