When she looks in the mirror, she no longer sees a country bumpkin who turned to the bottle when the flames of fame burnt too brightly.
Instead, she sees a fierce lioness whose battles have taught her to be brave, the scars symbols of her strength.
It’s a new year and Zahara wants the world to know she’s starting it with a clean slate – single, independent and ready to take on the world. “I love the woman I’ve become,” she tells DRUM.
“Nothing really bothers me. I have been criticized, hurt and labelled all sorts of things but I continue to stand firm because I know my purpose – to heal people through my music. That makes me sleep at night.
“Zahara is a healer, man.”
Zahara, real name Bulelwa Mkutu kana, is relaxing with her manager and cousin, Oyama Dyosiba, on the couch at her modest home in Little Falls, Johannesburg, on a rainy Friday when we catch up. The pair are watching music videos the Loliwe singer released in the early days of her career. Her eyes water when she thinks about her journey.
There was a time she was broke and bullied for everything, from boozing to her looks. Now she’s the first South African musician to sign a concert residency deal with Emperors Palace hotel. “With Emperors, I basically do what Celine Dion did in Las Vegas,” says Zahara, who started her residency in November.
The coveted deal will see her perform at the luxury resort’s chains all over the world for the next five years. “I’m sorted for many years to come, darling.”
She’s living the high life, yet she says it can get lonely at the top. “Dating hasn’t been easy. I’m Zahara, for crying out loud.”
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 9 January 2020 من Drum English.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 9 January 2020 من Drum English.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Homegrown Heroes
Drum speaks to two volunteers in the Covid-19 vaccine trial and the professor heading the team in Africa
The Big Clean Up
Whenever a Covid-19 case is confirmed at a shop, they call in the deep-cleaners. We find out exactly how they disinfect stores and supermarkets
I'm Back & Better!
Babes Wodumo shares what she’s been up to in lockdown – and there’s some new music on the horizon
Not An Easy Ride
Taxi commuters and industry players tell DRUM what’s driving them to defy lockdown rules
Mam' Mary Bows Out
Iconic actress Mary Twala is fondly remembered by friends and family for her humour and talent
‘They Lived For Each Other'
This Cape Town teen’s parents died from Covid-19 on the same day. Now she’s alone and battling the virus too
Stranger Than Fiction
For actor Mangaliso Ngema and his daughter Khosi Ngema, her role in Blood & Water was like watching their family’s real-life story unfold
I Was Raped By A Pastor
His accusations against a well-known man of the cloth turned an Eastern Cape man’s life into turmoil but now more victims have spoken out
My Fight With Life And Death
More Covid-19 patients, too few beds and staff, constant sanitising and personal fears – a Western Cape doctor shares her experience
I AM ENOUGH
Ten years after being set alight, Thembi Maphanga is living life to the fullest
