"Album of the Year". In 2013, Zahara released her second studio album, Phendula, which won three South African Music Awards for Best Selling Album, Best R&B, Soul and Reggae Album and Best Female Artist of the Year. The same year, Nelson Mandela invited her to his home to perform a private bedside concert. She then composed "Nelson Mandela" in his honor and released it as an EP. 2014–2018: Country Girl, Mgodi In July 2014, Zahara's younger brother was murdered in East London. According to Zahara, she went through a period of depression after his death, but recovered enough for the 2015 release of Country Girl. In 2015 at the Eastern Cape Music Awards, she won the two awards "Best Female" and "Best Artist 3". In early 2017, Zahara signed with Warner Music South Africa. On October 13, 2017, she released her fourth studio album Mgodi. The album went gold after only six hours. To further support the album, Zahara embarked on her Africa All Star Music Festival, visiting three venues in United States. The tour began in Toronto, Canada, on 17 August 2019, and concluded on 24 August 2019, in Washington DC. Mgodi won Best Female Act at the 2018 Next Generation Entertainment Awards. 2021–2023: Nqaba Yam Following a four-year hiatus, Zahara announced her fifth studio album on CapeTalk site, and later released the album's lead single "Nyamezela" on 7 May 2021. On 30 July 2021, she released a second single "Nqaba Yam". The album was initially set to be released on 9 July 2021, but was delayed due to COVID-19 lockdowns and finally released on 13 August 2021. In December 2021, she teased her first Amapiano single on Twitter. Television In 2021, she made her television debut as guest judge for Idols South Africa season 17, alongside Dineo Ranaka. Discography Loliwe (2011) The Beginning Live (2012) Phendula (2013) Country Girl (2015) Mgodi (2017) Nqaba Yam'' (2021) Awards and nominations Notes A The Metro FM Music Awards did not hold in 2012 due to re-positioning. The award ceremony was held in 2013. References 1987 births Living people South African singer-songwriters Xhosa people People from East London, Eastern Cape People from Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality 21st-century South African women singers South African guitarists 21st-century guitarists BBC 100 Women 21st-century women guitarists