The Eastern Cape and Gautemg governments will host Zahara’s funeral. Photo: zaharasa/Instagram
The office of Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa showed that the Eastern Cape and Gauteng governments would arrange Zahara’s funeral in collaboration with the national Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.
“The National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, together with the Gauteng and Eastern Cape provincial government are supporting the family,” Sport, Arts and Culture Spokesperson Litha Mpondwana told The Citizen. Mpondwana, however, did not elaborate on how exactly the provinces would be assisting the family.
In his interview yesterday with the SABC, the former director of Zahara’s label, DJ Sbu, announced that the late singer will be buried at her home in the Eastern Cape province.
“Her final resting place will be in the Eastern Cape which is her place of birth. The funeral will be on the 23rd just two days before Christmas.”
The funeral will be held Thursday morning at Rhema Bible Church in Randburg.
ALSO READ: ‘I’m heartbroken like everyone else’- DJ Sbu on Zahara’s death
Kodwa visited Zahara’s family on Tuesday, a day after her passing. Zahara was 36 and the cause of her death is still unknown.
“The Minister was met at Zahara’s home by members of her family, and Zahara’s friends in the industry.”
After Zahara’s death, artist and activist Ntsiki Mazwai took to social media to accuse the Southern African Music Rights Organization (SAMR) of mismanaging the budget that was supposed to be paid to artists in the form of royalties.
“At Samro there is undocumented works close to a 100 million and people have been pickpocketing in undocumented [sic] for years,” said Mazwai.
“People have been stealing from Undoc to Samro and nothing has been done to them, I don’t see NPA, it’s quiet. “
Mpondwana The Citizen that Minister Kodwa had been inundated with muso’s complaints.
“The Minister has been inundated with musicians’ complaints. At the recent Southern African Music Rights Organisation (Samro) AGM, the Minister implored Samro to implement a good distribution strategy for royalties,” said Mpondwana.
Many South African artists have died as paupers over the years. This is similar to in soccer. When a young footballer dies or experiences struggles after their playing career, only then does the conversation about a structure in the industry comes up.
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