Zahara was brought into the world as ‘Bulelwa Mkutukana’ in the Phumlani Informal Settlement outside of East London in Eastern Cape, South Africa, where she lived with her folks Nokhaya and Mlamli Mkutukana. She is the 6th of seven youngsters. She showed her adoration for singing at age 6. She initially came to more extensive consideration when she was designated the lead artist of a nearby Sunday school ensemble in Phumlani. Her stage name signifies “blossoming bloom”; as a youngster she was known by the moniker “Spinach”.
Her music is arranged freely as “Afrosoul” and she sings in her local language, Xhosa, just as in English. Her music has been portrayed as a combination of styles that have been promoted by Tracy Chapman and India.Arie.
Zahara began her vocation busking in the city of East London. She was spotted by TK Nciza of TS Records, who marked her to his label.
Zahara’s introduction collection Loliwe was delivered in 2011. The primary issue sold out inside 72 hours, and after 19 days, the collection arrived at twofold platinum status in South Africa by awe-inspiring the 100,000 deals mark.This made her the second performer after Brenda Fassie, who was likewise a Xhosa local, to arrive at this figure in such record time. Zahara delivered her initially live DVD which included X-Factor USA contender LeRoy Bell. The DVD arrived at platinum (as indicated by the guidelines set by the Recording Industry of South Africa) in one day. 
On1May 2012, at the yearly South African Music Awards, Zahara won eight honors, including “Best Female Artist” and “Collection of the Year”.
In 2013, Zahara delivered her second studio collection, Phendula. Phendula won three South African Music Awards for Best Selling Album, Best R&B, Soul and Reggae Album and Best Female Artist of the Year. That very year, Nelson Mandela welcomed her to his home to play out a private bedside show. She at that point created “Nelson Mandela” in his honor and delivered it as an EP.
In July 2014, Zahara’s more youthful sibling was killed in East London. As indicated by Zahara, she went through a time of despondency after his demise, yet recuperated enough for the 2015 arrival of Country Girl.
In 2017, Zahara endorsed with Warner Music South Africa and delivered Mgodi, her fourth studio collection. The collection went gold after just six hours.