SINGING sensation Zahara, whose real name is Bulelwa Mkutukana, turned 26 on Saturday, the same day Da Gama Textiles announced they were planning to dress her in their original Shweshwe dresses to market their brand nationally and globally.
The singer’s birthday party was held at the Regent Hotel on Saturday afternoon and was attended by Buffalo City Metro mayor Zukiswa Ncitha and a delegation from Da Gama.
Zahara had to fly down from Gauteng for the event and was accompanied by her family members, including her mother Nokhaya Mkutukana, who shared the stage with the mayor.
Zahara, with a voice husky from her successful and strenuous Phendula tour, gave a long speech about hope and success.
She said a memorable moment was when she sat next to former president Nelson Mandela in his Qunu bedroom and sang for him.
When life had seemed impossible and her parents lacked funds to send her to a tertiary institution to further her education, Zahara said her sister’s guitar had kept her sane.
“The guitar was my only symbol of hope. Don’t ever let go of your dream,” the multi-platinum selling artist told the audience.
The mayor said of Zahara: “She brings herself in line with a very powerful motto in life, ‘perseverance leads to success’.”
She said Zahara was one of the first modern icons for the metro. “We congratulate you and thank you for making us proud,” Ncitha said.
Anwar Vahed of Da Gama Textiles said they were looking into the possibility of having Zahara as a brand ambassador for Da Gama.
“Although we have yet to go through the details of the relationship, we strongly hope this relationship and partnership will be beneficial to both parties,” Vahed said.
He handed over an original Shweshwe dress to Zahara as a birthday gift. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Shweshwe for birthday girl Zahara
The singer’s birthday party was held at the Regent Hotel on Saturday afternoon and was attended by Buffalo City Metro mayor Zukiswa Ncitha and a delegation from Da Gama.
Zahara had to fly down from Gauteng for the event and was accompanied by her family members, including her mother Nokhaya Mkutukana, who shared the stage with the mayor.
Zahara, with a voice husky from her successful and strenuous Phendula tour, gave a long speech about hope and success.
She said a memorable moment was when she sat next to former president Nelson Mandela in his Qunu bedroom and sang for him.
When life had seemed impossible and her parents lacked funds to send her to a tertiary institution to further her education, Zahara said her sister’s guitar had kept her sane.
“The guitar was my only symbol of hope. Don’t ever let go of your dream,” the multi-platinum selling artist told the audience.
The mayor said of Zahara: “She brings herself in line with a very powerful motto in life, ‘perseverance leads to success’.”
She said Zahara was one of the first modern icons for the metro. “We congratulate you and thank you for making us proud,” Ncitha said.
Anwar Vahed of Da Gama Textiles said they were looking into the possibility of having Zahara as a brand ambassador for Da Gama.
“Although we have yet to go through the details of the relationship, we strongly hope this relationship and partnership will be beneficial to both parties,” Vahed said.
He handed over an original Shweshwe dress to Zahara as a birthday gift. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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