I'm Putting Myself First!

After some tough times and hard lessons, singer Zahara is standing tall, shining bright and ready to take on 2020

- Qhama Dayile

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.”