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SHE wants to fill in the gap left by departed and celebrated South African female musicians such as Miriam Makeba and Brenda Fassie. The fame of the two like many other great musicians was not confined to a particular district, province or country. They were household names in Africa and beyond.
Born Bulelwa Mkutukana and at just 24, South African songstress, Zahara has already embarked on a journey to conquer Africa through music.
Such is the story of the rise of Zahara who grew up in a poor township in Eastern Cape but has so far bagged 10 MTN-sponsored South African Music Awards in her two and a half years in the industry, something that confirms she has done well in a cut throat sector that has seen others taking decades to build their names.
Zahara (ZH) was in Bulawayo last weekend and had an interview with Sunday Leisure reporter Pabalelo Tlou (PT) at a local hotel where she shared the highs and lows of her phenomenal rise to fame.
Below are excerpts of the interview.
PT: Let me first congratulate you for winning the best album award at the recently held Sama twenties.
ZH: Thank you, I feel so humbled to have won such a great prize.
PT: You have been here a number of times now, what is it that makes you keep coming to Bulawayo?
ZH: Yeah, I have been here since 2012, maybe this is my 10th time coming here and for me this is now my second home. I like to be connected to my fans here, they are so loyal to me.
PT: You just performed in Harare yesterday. How did the show go?
ZH: Oh my God, the show was beautiful, the reception was so fantastic and if you remember I just released my album Phendula so I was kind of worried people didn’t know the songs yet and I was so surprised when they sang the songs along, it was beautiful.
PT: What inspires you in your music?
ZH: Mmm, I would say generally it is my life. If you remember, Loliwe was about my dreams, what I want to achieve, my experiences in my life and this one (Phendula) was inspired by Africa as a whole. I have been to many countries in Africa like here in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Uganda, Kenya you name them. I have noticed there is nothing different from South Africa where things like poverty, violence, robberies, murders and muggings, hate and so forth are the order of the day. So Phendula is like a prayer to God to give answers to such vices.
PT: How is it that you managed to scoop awards and get so famous with your first album? Can you tell us the secret behind your success?
ZH: Yeah! It wasn’t easy but it takes dedication, it’s been two-and-a-half years now since I have been in the music industry and I think it’s more about being dedicated to my work and writing songs that touch people’s hearts. That is all I can say is my secret and I think once you do that it’s easy to make it.
PT: Besides your sweet voice, what else do you add in your music that has enabled you to be where you are today?
ZH: It’s nothing much really; it’s only that when I write music, I write it to inspire people, so that they get connected to my music. Phendula went platinum in four days, double platinum in 13 days and is still selling. When I write my music I write what I feel, what comes from my heart and also what I see from people.
PT: Since you have been here on several occasions now, have you met or seen other artistes particularly from Bulawayo, you feel if given a chance you can collaborate with?
ZH: Yes, actually we were talking about it yesterday because I remember before my last song yesterday in Harare, I called all the artistes who were present. The problem is that we artistes tend to be seated backstage, where we don’t get to see other artistes performing and as a result we don’t see how they perform but at least if they gave us their CDs and we listen to their stuff that might go a long way. But yeah surely I will collaborate with some just like what I did in my song Incwadi Encane, I also collaborated with 2Face from Nigeria and I am looking forward to collaborating with Bulawayo artistes as well.
PT: Bulawayo artistes find it hard to make it in the music industry here, what can they be lacking and any advice to them?
ZH: Like I am saying I do music because I love it, they should not take what they do for granted, they should believe in themselves and in their music but what I think is a major problem is that they lack support from the community. Another thing is that I came with DJ Lady Cream here, but we barely know each other but because we are both musicians we had to come together and in the process know each other. I think the secret behind South African artistes making it in the music industry is that we support each other and I think nothing is impossible if Zimbabwean artistes also do the same.
PT: So what do you think they can do to gain support?
ZH: As for me I do not really write music targeted at a certain class of people and I think what I can say to artistes in Bulawayo is that they should not be selective when they do their music. If a young girl from a village can make it, they can make it too. Do not let go of your dreams. Your time will surely come.
PT: Because of technology, people are downloading songs and are reluctant to go and buy from the shops, but you said your new album went double platinum in 13 days what is it that you do so that people do not pirate your music.
ZH: Yeah, it’s amazing because if you open downloads my songs are the most downloaded. Of course I am not getting what I am supposed to be getting because of piracy but you know when people believe in you they get connected to your music, not all of them will pirate, others will buy from the legal market and yeah I still survive.
PT: You have managed to forge a fan base here in Bulawayo and people love your music, do you have any plans to record maybe a single track here?
ZH: Yes, I would love that, I really really would, Phendula was recorded in Durban, Loliwe in Jo’burg, maybe my third one will be recorded here in Bulawayo because I believe in empowering upcoming artistes and include them in my tracks or even shoot a video here with them.
PT: Which artistes have inspired you?
ZH: My mother used to listen to Miriam Makeba and I would have loved to perform with her but she had sadly passed on. I was also inspired by the late pop sensation, Brenda Fassie who was real and brought originality into the music industry, which is what I am planning to bring.
PT: Anyone special in your life right now?
ZH: (Laughs) Why do you guys always ask me this? No, I am single, I am in no rush to be in a relationship, and right now I am focusing on my career. If I meet someone then I will take things from there. I have been warned that guys might like me for who I am right now but I believe it takes one to know one, as a genuine person I am sure I will be able to see another genuine person when it comes to dating.
PT: Thank you very much for your time and for coming to Bulawayo. I hope struggling artistes here will take your advice seriously.
ZH: You are welcome.
Online Reporter