Award-winning South African Afro-pop singer Bulelwa Mkutukana, popularly known as Zahara, has died, the country’s culture minister announced on X.
She had been in hospital, reportedly with liver complications, and the government had been assisting the family “for some time”, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa said.
The songstress won fame in 2011 with her album Loliwe, loved across Africa.
Zahara made a revelation about her battle with alcohol addiction.
The family confirmed she had been admitted to hospital in November and called on South Africans to keep the musician in their prayers.
She passed away on Monday night in a Johannesburg hospital, state-run SABC news website reports.
Her family is yet to release an official statement.
Zahara, released five albums and won dozens of awards both local and international.