WATCH: Somizi questions Zahara’s mockers-turned-mourners

by Staff Bona

After asking internet users why some are quick to respect the late multi-award-winning singer Zahara more in death rather than when she was alive, media mogul Somizi Mhlongo received backlash after an old video of him joking about Zahara’s alleged drinking troubles resurfaced.

Zahara passed away on Monday evening at a private Johannesburg hospital after suffering from liver complications. Her partner, Mpho Xaba, was at her bedside.

A few days after her death, Somizi took to Instagram to question why people respect death and not life.

“When I heard that Zahara was in hospital and she wasn’t in a good condition, I thought, God forbid, should anything happen to Zahara, I know for sure that Zahara is going to be an overnight hero”.

Stating that Zahara was “one of the most mocked personalities” whose downfall was celebrated, and personal situations ridiculed, Somizi added, “We are fearful of taking life for granted and celebrating each other. That’s the only thing we are guaranteed – life. But hey, we have to die in order for you to be acknowledged and given your flowers, literally and figuratively … Sies.”

Somizi then called out the people shedding tears for the late singer while also taking accountability for his own actions.

He said:

“Keep your flowers. It’s the very same people whose hearts are broken. Are they broken because they lost someone they can’t mock anymore? Or are they broken because now they feel guilty that they mistreated you? Including our personalities – including myself – if Zahara called today and said, ‘Somizi, I need help.’ Would I help immediately?

He concluded, “She cried for help but hardly anybody jumped but look at the funeral. We’ll be flying to the Eastern Cape, if she is buried there, when we have never been to her house and never made an effort to check up on her. When I say ‘we’ I am including myself.”

 

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Somizi’s video made its way to X (formerly Twitter), where people compared it to a video of the media personality presenting on the SAMAs stage. Somizi is heard saying:

“We are almost at the end of the show and there’s an amazing after party, free bar. Zahara uphi (where is she)? [audience laughs] Sekase bar (she’s already at the bar).”

A majority of X users slammed the choreographer for “acting like a chief mourner” while others deemed the “mocking” as comedy.

Also see: Zahara’s memorial details confirmed