It’s hard to believe it’s been 11 months since the incredible Bulelwa “Zahara” Mkutukana left us. The singer and songwriter who touched many hearts with her music spent her last weeks battling liver complications in the hospital, a heartbreaking chapter that left us all mourning the talent and spirit we lost too soon.
On Saturday, November 9, friends gathered to honor what would have been Zahara’s 37th birthday. It was supposed to be a classy and elegant celebration, a toast to her life, but as is often the case in life, things didn’t go exactly as planned. Instead of a refined tribute, the gathering turned into a lively, albeit drunken, celebration at one of Zahara’s favorite pubs in Roodepoort, Johannesburg. We all know how these things can go; sometimes, the best intentions veer off-course into hilariously chaotic territory!
In East London, Zahara’s family also hosted their own celebration, a more intimate gathering that aimed to honor her memory in a personal way. They weren’t about the glitz; they just wanted to come together as a family and remember Zahara’s vibrant spirit. Meanwhile, the Johannesburg event was organized by a group known as the “Zahara Army,” a collection of passionate fans and friends, including her devoted personal assistant, Lisa Gwengxeka, and a few notable attendees like Letoya Makhene.
However, it seems like the Johannesburg bash didn’t live up to its expectations. There were supposed to be performances by artists who were close to Zahara, but they didn’t show up. One source close to the event noted that even though the party fell flat on some of its promises, they tried to make the best of it. “It worked out fine. We celebrated her,” Gwengxeka remarked, which is a testament to the resilience and love of Zahara’s community.
But not everyone was on board with the idea of two simultaneous events. Zahara’s mom, Xoliswa Mkutukana, voiced her disapproval of the Johannesburg celebration. She believed that all efforts should have been concentrated in East London, claiming, “It serves them right that the party flopped.” Clearly, there was a divide between how the family wanted to honor Zahara’s memory and how some of her friends envisioned it.
At the end of the day, both events were steeped in love—love for Zahara and gratitude for her music and presence. Whether in a pub in Joburg or within the warmth of family in East London, the essence of the celebration was about remembering a life that brought joy to so many. Even if the gatherings were markedly different in execution, they ultimately shared a common goal: to keep Zahara’s spirit alive, one song and one toast at a time.
