A dispute is brewing over Zahara's unreleased song, Emva Kwendlu, with the new kid on the block, Csana, whose real name is Nonguquko Mlaza. Csana recorded the song with her Eastern Cape homegirl Zahara, real name Bulelwa Mkutukwana, early in 2023, before the guitarist and songstress died in December. 

FAMILY WORRIED ABOUT PAYMENTS

The management team working with Csana was ready to release the song on Friday, 30 August, but without permission from Zahara's management team. Zahara's sisters Bandezwa and Lumka and her management team are also adamant in giving permission for the song to be released to the public, citing that Zahara never left any instructions about the music. Those who have listened to the final product after it was mixed and mastered are vouching that the song will be one of the biggest songs during this festive season. According to a source who knows the details of the conflict, Bandezwa does not mind the song being released, but she has concerns over payments. "She wants to know how much they stand to receive from the song," said the source. 

RECORDED WHILE THE GIRLS WERE HAVING FUN

According to the source, the song Emva Kwendlu was recorded by the two singers while they were chilling back home as friends. Csana is from Port St. Johns, while Zahara is from East London, both in the Eastern Cape. The source said they kept the song under wraps because they had no plans for it yet. "At some point, they spoke about releasing the song but when Zahara became sick, the project was abandoned. It was going to be unfair for Csana to release the song while Zahara was lying in her hospital bed," the source added. The source said that Zahara's family should respect that the song will continue to honour her legacy. "Csana wants to honour her late friend and commemorate her memory. It is a beautiful song; this is disappointing for the fans," added the source.

PUT ON HOLD

According to another source, Zahara's manager, Oyama Dyosiba, is at loggerheads with Csana's management as he feels left out in the project. "Things were not done via him,' added the source. Dyosiba, said the family, Zahara's managemen, and her label were not consulted. "How come we were never consulted about this song? We don't even know what it sounds like; what if we don't like it?' Dyosiba asked. He acknowledged that Csana reached out to him, wanting to collaborate with Zahara. "She has always been a fan and groupie of Zahara but there are processes that one must follow; you don't just drop a song,' he added. Thanduxolo Jindela, Csana's publicist and brand manager, said they have decided to pause the release, as the matter is currently handled by their legal team. "We apologise to Csana's fans," Jindela said.