SNAPS | Bittersweet celebration — Zahara's family honour her memory on her heavenly birthday

Close friends and family members of Zahara gathered to celebrate her heavenly birthday.

Zahara, real name Bulelwa Mkutukana, died aged 36 in December 2023 after a short illness. 

The occasion, which was filled with tears, laughter and memories of the talented musician, began with a visit to Zahara's grave at Phumlani Cemetery in East London where her loved ones laid fresh flowers and paid their respects. 

After the emotional visit, the group headed home to celebrate Zahara's life with a traditional braai where they played her music.

The centrepiece of the celebration was a custom-made cake featuring an image of Zahara holding her guitar.

It was a bittersweet celebration, Zahara's sister Bandezwa Mkutukana-Febana told TshisaLIVE.

She is grateful to actor and musician Lusanda Mbane, a close friend of the singer, who joined the family in honouring her life.

“We had a beautiful celebration, though it was painful as it's the first birthday without her. It was not easy for us, especially for my mother, but we are grateful that sis Lusanda came to join us which changed the mood in the house. We saw the brighter side of celebrating the day and keeping her legacy alive. It showed that Zahara is not forgotten,” she said.

“It was the first time listening to her songs since she passed away. We previously could not listen to her songs without crying. Now the family was singing along to her songs.”

"[It] felt like we had [reached] a turning point. We wanted to end our mourning period in December on her death anniversary, but [the birthday] felt different. They were playing her music throughout the day which is something we could not do before. We believe Zahara was smiling down on us.”

Mkutukana-Febana said she and her family plan to honour Zahara's life forever and make sure her legacy lives on. 

On December 11, which marks Zahara's death anniversary, they plan to host an event, open to the public, at their local community hall to celebrate her legacy.

“We will do something for her because that's the day we lost her. When we were in hospital we hoped for a miracle.”

Before Zahara died, there were plans for new music to be released after she clenched a deal with a record label based in Canada.

Mkutukana-Febana said they will make sure they release their sister's music. They also hope to follow in Zahara's footsteps.

“We had plans with Zahara. She was about to move overseas because of her record deal in Canada, even as the sisters we had music planned.

“She encouraged us to do something as well. We recorded two albums as her sisters and featured her in two songs. So after our mourning period, we'll resume the plans we had with her instead of burying them.

“Though at a certain stage we felt we did not want to sing anymore, people from our church encouraged us to move on. Our father also sat us down, saying the music thing is a gift for our family and to continue to do what we are doing. We are not sure how we will do it but we will find a way.”