Award-winning musician Bulelwa “Zahara” Mkutukwana’s family prayed non-stop for over four hours moments before she passed away.
The singer’s siblings also held onto her while she lay unresponsive on her hospital bed hoping that she will wake up, even after the doctor had said that she did not have much time left.
These were the heartbreaking last moments of the star with her family at the Olivedale Netcare Hospital as described by her sister Lumka at her memorial service held at the Rhema Bible Church in Johannesburg on Thursday.
Lumka shared that the family is heartbroken but has released her, noting that the family does not suspect any foul play in her death.
“We release her. She has worked. We are very thankful to everyone who is here,” said a devastated Lumka.
She said on the day the singer passed away, the family was called by the hospital and upon arrival was told to wait in a room because she could pass on anytime.
“We were so pained, we cried a lot. We know she was strong and would never leave us. We prayed for four hours.
“The doctor said we would see through the machines, when it is written zero [that would be an indication] that she has left.”
Zahara passed away on Monday just after 9pm after spending over two weeks in hospital. She was diagnosed with liver complications.
Lumka described her sister’s childhood as humble, adding that it paved the way for the woman she was to become.
“We grew up singing in church. We were raised by a mother who loved the Lord a lot. She raised us in the church.
“That is where Bulelwa is from and that is why she managed to hold on in every challenge she was facing. You could see that she was not falling even though [the] circumstances were not allowing.
“Two days before she was admitted [to the hospital] she called me. I left her in a happy state and then she called me and said she was not feeling well [and that] she was dying and needed to go to the doctor,” Lumka said.
The memorial service was well-attended by her colleagues in the music industry including her former bosses at TS Records DJ Sbu Leope and TK Nciza.
We failed Zahara
Describing his relationship with Zahara, media personality and Metro FM host Somizi Mhlongo said: “We have failed her and I am one of those people that failed her.
“There was a time, I remember I was hosting the Sama [SA Music Awards] and I made a joke about her drinking and stuff.
“Only later on you realise that what you say and how you make people feel is very important. I learnt my lesson because I took it for granted as a joke, but you don’t know how much you hurt people.
“I realised later that I have hurt her. Luckily we had time to reconcile and become friends, but she still went through a rough time.”
He added that people were not kind to the musician, challenging everyone to take a moment and reflect on how they treat others.
“We used to gossip about her, laughed at her and never helped her. Here I am now standing as if I was there throughout. I was not there throughout.
“So, the biggest lesson I have learnt and I hope everyone in this room learns is: ‘don’t ever laugh or make a joke about someone else’s downfall, if you can’t help, shut down’.”
Zahara will be laid to rest in East London on Saturday, two days before Christmas.
