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Mthabisi Tshuma, Showbiz Correspondent
AWARD-winning musician, Zahara (real name Bulelwa Mkutukana) who rose to fame in 2011 following the release of the Loliwe hit has set her eyes on making a powerful comeback through her fifth album titled Nqaba Yam.

The Umthwalo Wami hit-maker made headlines in 2011 through her scorching album Loliwe and she says she wants to take over the airwaves again.

The upcoming album is set to be released next Friday and has been dubbed as the light at the end of the tunnel.

Last month, Zahara released the track Nyamezela, which was a stand-out song and very radio-friendly.

“This is a song for everyone with a relatable and strong message of resilience and courage as the beat is electric, making it a road-trip banger with your windows rolled down,” Warner Music South Africa promotions and publicity coordinator Eric Gyimah said.

He said the 12-track album will be something not to miss for Zahara’s fans.

“The soothing, healing soulful melodies of the 12-track album, paired with introspective lyrics oozes newfound confidence in Zahara’s distinct voice. Her aura is effervescent and light as air. She’s letting her masterful guitar skills do all the talking while taking listeners on a sonic stroll in a botanical garden.

“Her new music is fresh, simple, and organic like the cornrows she sports on her head. It’s evident in every delicate and soft note that she belts out that the Eastern Cape country girl has found her nirvana. Zahara has also spiritually connected with her faith and found solace in God’s mercy,” said Gyimah.

Gyimah said with 10 years in the ever evolving music industry, the multiple South African Music Awards (Sama) winner who has 366 000 Instagram followers, will have nothing more to prove with an album filled with hits.

“Zahara welcomes us into her castle and introduces fans to her pillar of strength throughout her trials and tribulations. Penning down every song on the album, Zahara reunites with producer and long-time collaborator Mojalefa “Mjakes” Thebe.

“The title track, Nqaba Yam is the perfect album opener and sets the tone quite well. Straight off the bet, she lets listeners know that this is the gospel of Zahara away from the glitz and glamour. She has given all her trust and hopes to the man upstairs.

“This song is a classic Zahara Afro-pop banger from the instrumental to the piercing vulnerability in her velvety vocals,” said Gyimah.

With a modern country guitar intro, Gyimah said the track Sinda Mphefumlo will remind people that Zahara is still unapologetically a country girl at heart.

“In this journal entry, she is fighting both her internal and external demons — her heart and soul are heavy. Keeping with the country motif, ‘Ndikhona’ has written all over it, the potential of a Zahara anthem. She creates a mystery and keeps the listener guessing if this is a love letter to a friend or lover.

“But what’s clear is that Zahara has never sounded this good and felt such tenderness. So much so that she will make all the time in the world for such fondness.”

In recent years, Zahara has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons from alcohol abuse to having her house and car repossessed after failing to keep up with monthly installments. On the song Ndincede, she owns up to her mistakes and makes a holy plea to God.

“She has been in the trenches, a lot of unpleasant things have been said about her and she needs all the strength in the world to pull through it all. Her voice on Ndincede has never sounded brilliantly exposed and authentic,” Gyimah said.

On this album, Zahara really connects with the Lord because on Bawo, music lovers will get the first taste of her in full gospel mode.

“She seems to start connecting with her faith and leaving it all in the Lord Almighty’s capable hands following her prayer request in the previous cut.”

Halfway through the album, Zahara is set to switch it up with Systems and shows her part in fighting social injustices.

“Long story short, Zahara is a freedom fighter. It’s a stripped-down acoustic guitar number — exquisitely simple and elegant. Fresh off making her political statement, Zahara gives a throwback to Sophiatown with Ntak’encinane. The mid-tempo tune displays a more fun and dancey Zahara for the first time on the album.

“The feel-good song will have you snapping your fingers and kicking up your heels in euphoria.

“Senzeni has a maskandi vibe to it and is the most intense song on the album. It’s a female empowerment chant dedicated to victims and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and listeners may want to bring out the tissues for this one.

“Forgiveness is what Zahara preaches in Izolo the second official single from the album that is another mid-tempo song. Zahara nudges that holding onto grudges is never good for anyone so people must forget the pain of yesterday and focus on the promises of today,” said Gyimah.

With 17 Sama awards and over 30 awards in total, Zahara who was recently named one of the BBC 100 Women 2020, a list celebrating inspirational and influential women across the globe, is undeniably one of the most decorated artistes in South Africa. She maintains that her mission is to inspire people through music. — @mthabisi_mthire