Zahara’s tragic and untimely passing has seen her fans rally together against DJ Sbu, her music mentor and former record label boss, whom she had a strained relationship with.

Some have even called on the public to boycott the Mofaya creator, who has long been accused of exploiting the late star.

 

 

 

 

On Monday, 11 December, Zahara died after a long battle with liver complications. She was only 35 years old.

According to Sunday World, Zahara died on Monday evening at a private Johannesburg hospital. She was surrounded by her close family and fiancé Mpho Xaba.

The SAMA-winning artist had a long struggle with her health. In 2019, she was diagnosed with liver failure and spent a month in hospital. In a 2020 interview on the TV show Dinner With Somizi, the star admitted to previously abusing alcohol.

DJ Sbu told Massiv Metro in an interview in 2021: “We made history together – and I miss you, Bulelwa, I miss you – but what I don’t like is she goes out and says I owe her money because you know that’s a lie … If you go down to the books at Universal Music, she actually owes us money and she doesn’t know that”.

He added: “Zahara is getting a 50% royalty rate, and the record label is getting paid 50%, and it usually doesn’t work like that”.

On X, many took aim at DJ Sbu. Others called on the public to boycott the businessman.

@BraHlonisky: “May her soul haunt you, DJ Sbu”

@RaceblackAfrica: “As South Africa’s patriots, we must boycott Mofaya in honour of Zahara. Dj Sbu, you are heartless.”

@Owenslick: “I believe Dj Sbu took 80% of her earnings thinking she’s not gonna find out in the name of “I got you a career.” Boycott him and his business!”

She said: “I had to deal with what led me to drink because the problem was not the alcohol. The problem was what led me to drink.”