"MINISTER of Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa, could you please investigate why our artists died poor? Who is eating their money?"
These were the words of Nkosi Xhanti Sigcawu during Zahara's funeral at the East London International Convention Centre (ICC) on Saturday, 23 December.
Nkosi said: "It's strange that our artists from the Eastern Cape go to Gauteng, but they come back poor. I don't know if it's Gauteng eating up their money or if it's them eating up Gauteng.
"This needs to be thoroughly investigated because it's not right that our kids leave this province to find greener pastures but come home poor."
Nkosi was one of the mourners who attended Zahara's funeral.
The funeral was also attended by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, kwaito legend Eugene Mthethwa, Ringo, Bethusile, senior government figures, and traditional leaders.
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Zahara, whose real name was Bulelwa Mkutukana, died at hospital on Monday, 11 December after being hospitalised for about a month.
She was 36 years old.
Since the Loliwe hitmaker's death, claims have surfaced over alleged unpaid royalties when she left TS Records.
TS Records was owned by TK Nciza and DJ Sbu, who discovered her in East London in 2009.
"She made history by winning eight awards. No one has ever done that in the history of music in Mzansi. I want to thank the people of Mzansi for supporting Zahara," he said.
Vusi Nova said: "I visited Zahara in hospital and she was showing signs of recovery. We spoke for a long time and when I left the hospital, I believed she would be discharged. I didn't t know that I will receive a phone call informing me of her death.
"Zahara, my sister, wherever you are, I promise you that I will take care of your family. Your family will not suffer while I'm still alive. I do this because I love you unconditionally. You have been like a sister to me since we met," he said.
"I met Samro to discuss the issue of royalties because the artists are not happy with the royalties. The alleged exploitation of artists by record companies is currently being investigated.
"This investigation has already found one record label that is exploiting artists. They are also misusing artists' money. The investigation will be extended to all record labels. The details of this investigation will be publicised soon to expose those who continue to exploit and exploit our artists,” said Kodwa.
