There is reportedly drama and controversy surrounding the upcoming concert set to raise funds to buy back late award-winning singer Zahara’s Roodepoort house.
ZAHARA’S SISTER ACCUSED OF SIDELINING PEOPLE FOR CONCERT TO SAVE SINGER’S HOUSE
According to ZiMoja, the Loliwe hitmaker’s band members are accusing her older sister Bandezwa Mkutukana-Febana of sidelining them.
“We worked with her from the start of her career, and we only hear about the said concert in the media,” said one band member.
According to the band member, Bandezwa fired everyone including their cousin Oyama Dyosiba who was Zahara’s manager. The source also alleged that she and her late sister did not get along.
“She knew what kind of person she was. In fact, in one of my calls with sisi Zahara before she died, she asked me to please keep her hospitalisation private. She said the only people who should know about her hospitalisation should only be her mom, sister Lumka and Mpho Xaba (Zahara’s fiance) and Oyama,” said the band member.
DETAILS ABOUT CONCERT TO BUY BACK ZAHARA’S HOUSE
The Dispatch Live reported that Bandezwa has already booked Orient Theatre, in East London, however, they have not yet paid for it. She also revealed that they have reached out to some musicians to perform at the event, but they cannot pay them their usual booking fees. The family said they will pay them a small fee they termed as “cold drink”.
The event will be hosted by former Scandal! actress Lusanda Mbane. It will feature artists Khanyisa Sabuka, Butho Vuthela, Ivory Sikepe, Nathi Mankayi and Zahara’s best friend Vusi Nova.
BANDEZWA RESPONDS
Contacted about the concert, Oyama said he didn’t know about it and wants nothing to do with it.
Bandezwa denied that she had sidelined anyone.
“We did not fire anyone from the band. We’re still in communication.”
ZAHARA’S HOUSE WAS AUCTIONED
In 2022, the Afropop singing sensation was on the verge of losing her townhouse as a result of defaulting on her monthly instalments of R17 665, 40. Nedbank, which had given her a R1.9 million loan, was set to auction off her home to the highest bidder.
After going public and asking for donations, Zahara thanked her fans for hearing her cry and also shared that she had received help from one major donor; whom she said was a businessman.
Following her passing, Sunday World reported that the donor in question was the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) – led by Julius Malema. EFF spokesperson, Sinawo Thambo confirmed that the political party helped the award-winning singer by giving her R100 000 towards her loan.
However, it appears as though that was not enough because Zahara’s house was auctioned before she passed. According to her sisters Lumka Mkutukana and Bandezwa Mkutukana-Febana, Marten Bekker (who bought the house) allowed her to stay in it for a couple of months while she tried to raise funds to rebuy it.