Singer Bulelwa ‘Zahara’ Mkutukana (33) is grieving the loss of her eldest sister. Gospel singer Nomonde Mkutukana (45) was hit by a minibus taxi after she had some car trouble on the N2 in East London.
According to a statement released on behalf of the family, Nomonde was driving back from work when the incident happened on the evening on 5 March. She was run over by a taxi on the side of the N2 while checking a fault on her vehicle.
“Nomonde died around the Mooiplass area in East London,” the statement reads.
Speaking to Drum, a grieving Zahara could not hold back her tears when describing the great relationship she had with her sister.
“My family is everything to me. I am close with all my siblings. My sister was like my mother, she protected me, and we were close friends.”
Zahara had spoken to Nomonde less than two hours before the incident happened. “We were laughing on the phone, she told me she was getting ready to leave work and go home. Then after that we received a call to say she has passed.”
Unable to put words together, Zahara asks her manager Oyama Dyosiba to take over. “It's been tough to understand the entire situation,” Oyama says.
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In 2014, the Mgodi singer lost her younger brother Mbuyiseli who was shot. He was allegedly caught in the crossfire between rival gangs in a nearby village.
“Zahara was still coming to terms with the death of her brother. It has taken many years to try and accept his death, but this has opened a new wound.”
This tragedy comes just a few weeks before the release of Zahara’s fifth and highly anticipated album, and Oyama says “everything has been put on hold, until the burial of Nomonde”.
“She was looking forward to the release. Nomonde had heard some of the songs, and she was an instrumental part in Zahara’s career,” he adds.
“Zahara mentored and sometimes sang side-by-side with the Mkutukana trio who released a gospel album in 2016.
“This has not been easy. Zahara is not coping, but all we wish to do is be home in Phumlani village with the family so we can comfort everyone. Nomonde’s two kids are also devastated, but we put our faith in God.”
