adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
SOUTH African songbird Zahara, who was in Bulawayo for a performance over the weekend, has opened up saying her brother’s death adversely affected her. Tragedy hit the award-winning afro-pop star last month when her younger brother Mbuyiseli Mkutukana was murdered near their Phumlani village home outside East London. According to South African media, her brother and his friend Thanduxolo Zumana were found dead with multiple gunshot wounds on the banks of a river.
Zahara told Chronicle Showbiz that she needed time to come to terms with her brother’s death.
“Mbuyiseli and I were very close. We used to share shoes. Sometimes when I went to perform at gigs around the Eastern Cape he used to come with me and perform on stage.
“My brother was a very sweet guy. He did not deserve to be killed like that. I need to take some time off and think about what happened to my brother. If I don’t, I fear I will break down,” she said.
The songstress said the only thing that was keeping her mind off the tragedy was her commitment to music.
“I work so much and I guess that is really helping me as I don’t get time to think about what happened, but I need a break,” she said.
Turning to the reason why she was in Zimbabwe, Zahara who performed at the Green Concert meant to raise funds for Tokwe Mukorsi flood victims, said those affected were close to her heart because she grew up in an area which was always affected by floods.
“I heard about the flood victims in Zimbabwe and I left everything to support this worthy cause. When I was growing up, we lived in a shack and every time there were heavy rains, our shack would be swept away so I am here to support those affected by floods as I know how it feels,” she said.
Zahara said she had a great time sharing the stage with Zimbabwean artistes whom she praised for their immense talent.
“Each time I come to Zimbabwe, I am not fortunate to see the local artistes perform because I am always picked up at the hotel when I am about to go on stage. In Harare though, I invited one of the local artistes to sing with me on my last song,” she said.
Zahara said her dream was to do a track with Zimbabwean superstar Oliver Mtukudzi.
“My wish is to do a song with Baba Oliver Mtukudzi. He is the first person that I would want to do a track with. Besides that, I wouldn’t mind shooting one of my music videos here as I love this country,” she said.
Although only a handful of fans attended her Bulawayo show at the Amphitheatre on Saturday night, Zahara’s show in Harare was well attended. She performed with Diana Samkange, Sandra Ndebele and Cynthia Mare.
Online Reporter