Zahara, the award-winning singer, is in a critical condition at a private hospital in Johannesburg after she collapsed at her home. The 36-year-old star, whose birth name is Bulelwa Mkutukana, has been suffering from liver problems and may need a transplant, according to a source close to her. Zahara has been in hospital for almost a week, and was moved to the ICU after her situation worsened. She was initially admitted to a general ward.
Her fiance Mpho Xaba has been by her side since she became ill, and some of her relatives from East London have also travelled to Joburg to support him. The source said that both in Joburg and East London, her family and friends are praying for her recovery. The source also said that Zahara’s medical bills are very high, as she needs to undergo many tests, and she does not have enough medical aid cover. Her family is trying to raise funds to pay for her treatment.
Another source from Zahara’s family in the Eastern Cape said that they are hoping to get some financial assistance from Nhlanhla Mafu, the ex-wife of Thembinkosi ‘TK’ Nciza, who used to own the record label that signed Zahara in 2010. The source said that Zahara and Nhlanhla had a close relationship, as Zahara lived with them for more than a year when she moved to Joburg to record her music. “Nhlanhla was like a mother to her, and taught her how to survive in the big city. They were so close that Zahara would tell us that Nhlanhla treated her like her daughter,” the source said. The source also said that they wish TK Nciza, who discovered Zahara when she was a street performer, would show some compassion and help her with her hospital bills. “He is a politician and should have ubuntu. He is the one who made her famous. Does he want her to die before he shows that he cared for her? It is sad that only her fiance is doing everything he can to save her. But he needs money, because the tests she is doing cost a lot of money,” the source said.