Introducing Zahara
I hate to start off this post on a negative note, but it must be said that I’ve been rather disappointed with the level of artistry in South Africa lately, and as a result had reverted to not paying attention to the music scene at all. I had just had enough of the redundant nature of music – which I simply could not fully vibe to ( Mafikizolo have, for close to a decade now, been my saving grace of sorts when it comes to South African music).
That is, until I heard this beautiful song by a new upcoming artist, 23 year old Bulelwa Zahara Mkutukane who goes simply by the name Zahara (“a blooming flower”). She seems to have just popped out of nowhere…but this is far from it. This lady has been around. Watch her Electronic Press Kit (EPK) below.
She name drops international artists like India Arie and Lauryn Hill, and the legends Tsepo Tshola, Mam’ Busi Mhlongo, and of course Mam’ Miriam Makeba as her greatest influences.
I listened to an interview done with her a week back on Ukhozi FM, and fell in love with her soul. The sincerity in her voice was something really refreshing. This is a real young woman who has gone through some real situations. A Xhosa girl from Phumlani in the Eastern Cape, I want to say she’s the real deal…but I’ll give her time.
Almost certain she won’t disappoint.
Her story of how she got connected with Bab’ Robbie Malinga, Mr Nciza, and Sibusiso ‘DJ Sbu‘ Leope, who are her mentors of sorts truly inspired me. Someone is always watching.
The fact that she plays the guitar also had me taking a second listening to her art, and I actually reckon she’s one of a very limited breed of true artists. She’s even been referred to as ‘the answer to the late, eternal, Miriam Makeba‘ by some. And you know Tweets have been watching. I loved this tweet by @Wasanga_Mayhem made today – a little graphic, but a potent sense expression:
@Wasanga_Mayhem WasangaPeople who don’t like Zahara have no soul and are going to hell in a SA Roadlink bus with no brakes.People who don’t like Zahara have no soul and are going to hell in a SA Roadlink bus with no brakes.
and she also jumped on a song Produced by the Number One Locksmith himself, Sbuuuuuda! Haha.
no nolwabo olunagapheliyo
nd’yathandaza uyive le ngoma.
izovuselel’ umphefum’lo wakho, ik’nik’ithemba elitsha
these lyrics are written in her vernacular, IsiXhosa. And translated, simply mean: “…and unending joy/ I pray you hear this song/ it’ll renew your soul, and give you newness of hope”
