The family of late multi-platinum-selling singer Zahara – real name Bulelwa Mkutukana – is organising a concert to raise funds to buy back her Roodepoort house. According to The Dispatch Live, the house – which the Loliwe hitmaker tried to save in 2022 – was close to her heart.Zahara passed away on 11 December last year after spending almost three weeks at a private hospital in Johannesburg. She was buried in her home province, Eastern Cape, on 23 December.In 2022, the Afropop singing sensation was on the verge of losing her townhouse as a result of defaulting on her monthly installments of R17 665, 40. Nedbank, which had given her a R1.9 million loan, was set to auction off her home to the highest bidder.After going public and asking for donations, Zahara thanked her fans for hearing her cry and also shared that she had received help from one major donor; whom she said was a businessman.
Following her passing, Sunday World reported that the donor in question was the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) – led by Julius Malema. EFF spokesperson, Sinawo Thambo confirmed that the political party helped the award-winning singer by giving her R100 000 towards her loan.
However, it appears as though that was not enough because Zahara’s house was auctioned before she passed. According to her sisters Lumka Mkutukana and Bandezwa Mkutukana-Febana, Marten Bekker (who bought the house) allowed her to stay in it for a couple of months while she tried to raise funds to rebuy it.Bandezwa revealed that they have already booked Orient Theatre (in East London), however, they have not yet paid for it. She also revealed that they have reached out to some musicians to perform at the event, but they cannot pay them their usual booking fees. The family said they will pay them a small fee they termed as “cold drink”.
The event will be hosted by former Scandal! actress Lusanda Mbane. It will feature artists Khanyisa Sabuka, Butho Vuthela, Ivory Sikepe, Nathi Mankayi and Zahara’s best friend Vusi Nova.The Ndikuthandile hitmaker (who recently bagged his own reality TV series) has been shown the family immense support during Zahara’s time at the hospital, during the funeral arrangements, and after the singer’s burial. Most recently, Zimoja reported that he was guiding the family regarding Zahara’s reality TV show which aired on SABC1.