Family, friends and fellow artists of the late Bulelwa Mkutukana known as Zahara gathered at the East London International Convention Center for the second memorial service of the late singer this afternoon. The memorial was held a day before her funeral which will be held in her hometown of Phumlani outside East London in the Eastern Cape. Zahara passed away over a week ago after being in a coma for more than a week with liver complications.

A BLOOMING FLOWER 

Speaker after speaker spoke about the singer's undeniable talent and the lasting legacy she left behind. Her friend who went to school with her Nomvuselelo Grey said they grew up together in the same area and started being close in 1998. "She used to invite me out for dates and believe me, our dates were to attend church services. She was very focused and always sang for us. I remember one time she told us that we should let her write autographs for us at the time because when she becomes a celebrity, she will not have time to do it. We dismissed her and she did become a celebrity," Grey said. Grey described her late friend as reserved and a believer in God. Talking about her friend, actress, radio presenter and businesswoman Lusanda Mbane said Zahara was someone who healed the world, souls and represented love. "She had a song for every occasion, whether you are celebrating your wedding, graduation, or mourning, there was always a Zahara song that went with the occasion. Like her name, she was a blooming flower that represented everything to us. Through her music she remains in our hearts, souls and spirits," Mbane added.

ZAHARA'S GUITAR AND AWARDS HANDED TO HER MOTHER

Mbane and other artists delivered the late singer's music awards and her signature guitar to her mother Nokhanya Mkutukwane yesterday. in a video shared on social media, Mbane could be seen carrying Zahara's guitar on her back while a few men carried her multiple awards in two boxes to hand them over to her mother. Zahara's mother accepted her daughter's music accolades with a smile. Over the years, Zahara released several other albums and won numerous awards, including several South African Music Awards (SAMAs) and a BET Award in 2015 for Best International Act: Africa. Her music touched the hearts of many and inspired a generation of young musicians. She was a trailblazer, paving the way for other female artists in the male-dominated music industry. This guitar has been a trademark for the late singer from the first time she was introduced to the Mzansi's public in 2011, through her popular song Loliwe.