The musical stir Bulelwa Mkutukana (23) better known as
Zahara is a complete musician with a guitar handle. She is a name or rather a
force to be reckoned with in the South African music scene. This youthful and
strong woman was born in a small rural area called Phumlani near East London,
Eastern Cape.
Her journey which is nowhere to be a destination in the
music industry started when she was spotted or rather discovered by TS Records
executive and co-founder TK Nciza in 2009. The gift was noticed while performing
at a gig in Eastern Cape and Nciza did not hold back when his ears were smothered
by her alto voice.
Her blow up was not what I see as a surprise because she was
first natured by the label until they were ready to introduce her in the
industry and the nation. Zahara has and is still the household name around the
country – not because she’s from a rural background but the flair within her.
She is one of the musicians that received a greater than Brenda Fassie buttress.
She, 8 months ago released her debut album titled “Loliwe”
which is a Xhosa word for a train. The album was welcomed and loved in each and
every household, taxi and buses you name them. Both Zahara and Dj Sbu albums
sold thrice in only a week after release, which of course was so amazing. They are also anticipated for both alums to go
platinum before the festive season and double if not triple by Christmas time.
Remember the albums are "Sound revival Volume 1" and
"Loliwe". Wasn’t that achieved? “Dj
Sbu "Sound Revival Vol 1" and Zahara "Loliwe" sold thrice
already”.
She during the festive
season performed at various gigs and fans were amazed by her set that she
during the Cape Town Jazz Festival changed a bit by bringing us a wow with the
late Brenda Fassie songs like “Promises” etc. And she on an interview with us highlighted
that, “People are going to see a change tonight” and yes of course we saw the
ever amazing change. She was so overwhelmed and told us she used to want
tickets to come to such events but “Today I am performing along the great Bra
Hugh Masekela, you know, I am blessed…”
 |
| Zahara and TK Nciza "I'll make sure she's the best." |
Last year I wrote a
column titled, “Zahara’s
Poor Music Videos: I kept asking myself if she’s EMBEZZLED” and that
resulted in Robbie Malinga seeing me as some sort of a hater of which I am not
and never will be. I love Zahara because her talent is so amazing and no one
can ever doubt that. The reason for me to write the column was the short of vision
or rather concept in the “Loliwe” music video not the song. As usual I always
tag them via the social networks when I write about her – but this time it was
never retweeted but I was blocked on her twitter account. Knowing that I write
what is true and correct added with my opinion I did not mind as I knew if she
does good I’ll make noise about it.
This year the great
musician was severally nominated in the MTN SAMA 18 and that did not come as a
surprise at all but to those who are jealous it did. I mean both her and the
record label pulled a lot of work in making sure that she’s a household name
and that worked not to their advantage but her musical talent proved to too many
artists that if you’re good your music will be played everywhere. For any
medium it is difficult to really snub good talent.
April 15 a well-know
paper published an article titled, “Zahara's
their maid - Sisters believe Nciza is ripping her off” where her biological
sisters went on about how broke their sister is and how she’s asking their
mother for airtime cash. They also complained about how TK promised them –
ranging from buying Zahara a house in Johannesburg, their parents a farm and
two cars for Spinach (Zahara). My worry they did not mention the dates and the
period all this will take, which is of course something very important to
really consider as she is only eight months in the music industry. So our questions
should be, “Was these promises long or short terms goals?” Should we be able to
establish that – then we’ll know who’s at blunder here.
Even if Nciza did
promise them such they should not claim such unless they have a valid agreement
with him. It sounded like TK knew how much Zahara’s talent cost of which he did
not know at that time, I assume. It was really unfair of both her sisters to
pull such about their sister in the media, what were they thinking? The only
thing they should have done is to hold up with her as a family and not through
the media.
The Sunday Sun then published a different story of which
Zahara was featured where she tried to set the record straight. But honestly
the story sounded as some sort of defence mechanism whereby she went all out to
be okay and defending her record label, I mean any artist(s) have an
instruction on how to handle the media from any given record label, unless we
talking labels owned by marionettes. But we also have to believe what she said
because she’s the one directly affected by the whole media saga. If she says
she’s okay, well, she’s “okay” and we have no further business to investigate
financial status of any “okay” person.
After all this April 22 the popular paper published another
article titled, “Saving
'spinach' - Eastern Cape government steps in” I mean what the hell for? Is
Zahara their main issue compared to the bad educational facilities that they
are yet struggling to solve? Zahara is not an orphan and she does not need the
so-called “Social Workers.” Was there really anything for the Eastern Cape Government
to intervene on? How many artists have been ripped by the industry and where
was the Government? Former EC artist Mashava was ripped in front of them, did
they “intervene?” Where is Mashava now and where’s KK his record label? This
was and will never be a government issue because Zahara is an adult and she
knows what’s good for her.
Was this a publicity stunt so that we feel oh shame what a
pity – I am voting for Zahara for the SAMA 18? Only TS can answer that. Zahara
won an award for every month she spent in the industry, wow! Eight awards in a
sweet period of eight months. Which artist(s) did that locally? Are we jealous
of Zahara? If not, then what do we want? Why can’t a black musician succeed
without quarrels from the very same blacks?
TK Nciza has done
enough damage control on the Zahara issue and Dj Sbu who was the number one
silent man used the SAMA 18 platform to pass remarks about the Zahara issue,
was it because he knew millions were watching during that time? He claimed
during an interview with Rolling Stone that Zahara’s bank is managed by Nedbank,
a bank that TS has a good relationship with. This is really sad for Zahara to
be treated like this, I mean Zahara is not Julius Malema and she does not serve
in your republic parliament at all. “Dj
Sbu: Zahara has a fit bank account”
The above is what I observed during her success that once
again is a journey not a destination.
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By Buchule Raba|Independent Journalist|Producer|Publicist / leave your comments for me below the comment box or send them via email to editor@goxtranews.com, Click here to follow me on twitter or add me on Facebook here
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