What is Zahara's true love?

One great song can define the career of a major artist.
The late Brenda Fassie had a big hit in 1983 called Weekend Special – an up-tempo pop track that still rocks old school dance floors. The release of Loliwe, a single by Zahara, in 2011, propelled the songstress from the Eastern Cape to stardom, and earned her a special place in the hearts and minds of music fans in South Africa. Her debut album, also titled Loliwe, did so well, it ranks second only to Memeza, from Brenda Fassie, as the fastest-selling album of all time in South African music history.

Sometimes, amazing performances – enhanced by excellent choreography or powerful vocals, define the amazing artistry of a songstress like Brenda Fassie or Zahara. The Loliwe hit maker, who was born and raised in East London, has that Joni Mitchell appeal: a natural ability to craft songs that arouse deep-rooted feelings of incredible delight or anguish. And she has that Tracy Chapman-like X-factor. She can infuse so much life and character into a song so effortlessly well, it is difficult to not be touched by her beautiful songs or enthralled by her immense talent.

But that is not all Zahara is famous for nowadays. There has been a plethora of media reports about her alleged drinking problem. And things seem to have come to a head of late, with a cover from True Love Magazine, which appears to suggest, she has a substance abuse problem. Zahara has accused True Love Magazine of using her name to garner cheap publicity. Last year, Drum Magazine also ruffled Zahara's feathers, as well, after alleging she was an alcoholic.

Whether she has a problem or not – it is fair to say, we have been in this situation so many times in the past. The best musicians do forever seem to fall victim to the unforgiving excesses of fame and fortune; and drugs and alcohol are usually their vices of choice. Brenda Fassie had a much-documented cocaine addiction, and now, Zahara is battling unflattering stories in the media, and possibly, a long standing addiction to alcohol as well.

What is Zahara's true passion though? Is it still her music career? Or the intoxicating pleasures of pop stardom she seems to treasure dearly? Brenda Fassie had that unmistakeable brilliance the self-styled 'King of Pop' Michael Jackson had. But Brenda Fassie suffered greatly, when her addiction to cocaine, snuffed the life out of her outstanding career. Whitney Houston also had phenomenal talent that mesmerized the world for more than two decades. But she lost it, along with her mighty voice, when her abuse of alcohol and drugs ravaged her vocal chords, and subsequently, her stellar career.

Zahara might disagree with this, but her seemingly downward trajectory, is far from that dramatic or unique for a world accustomed to witnessing acts like Amy Winehouse and Kurt Cobain succumb to the brutality of depression and drug and alcohol abuse. The question Zahara must face up to is: What is her true love? If it is the Hollywood-like champagne lifestyle she enjoys so much, her career might have to give way to former. If it is her music career: she cannot afford to have drugs or alcohol as part of her repertoire.

The familiar scenario of a popstar battling addiction – and refuting it all and threatening to sue or in fact suing a media outlet for reporting on their personal failings – is so played out at this stage of the game, Zahara needs a clean break from alcohol or any other substance, if the truth were to be told, if she is indeed to remain relevant in the music business for a considerably long period of time.