‘Drinking to sleep’: Zahara opens up about depression battle

South African musician Zahara — real name Bulelwa Mkutukana — recently opened up about her battle with depression. She also touched on getting bullied on social media and how relying on God has helped her reach the level of success she is currently on.

Zahara’s sentiments comes shortly after media personality Dineo Ranaka was admitted to a mental health facility following suicidal thoughts.

ALSO READ: Zahara’s name dragged into DJ Sbu’s MoFaya vs Prime drink debate

Zahara opens up about mental health struggles

Over the last few days, mental health struggles have been a big discussion in South Africa.

This after radio host and reality TV star Dineo Ranaka opened up about having suicidal thoughts and struggling to cope.

And now singer Zahara has shared that she too has dealt with depression — especially after being a victim of cyberbullying.

Zahara says she struggled with depression. Images via Instagram: @zaharasa

ALSO READ: Who is Zahara’s third fiancé? Meet Mpho Xaba

During her sit-down with Tbo Touch on Metro FM, Zahara said:

“You thought you gave me a name, and you thought you gave me a gift. The person that gave me the gift, which is God, will see it through. It’s not about you, it’s not about me. He is going to let it live whether I like it or not,” she said.

“People go through depression whether I know it or don’t know it. There’s no way I did not go through depression. There’s no way that I did not feel what you guys were saying to me, the daggers that you were pointing at me and digging me, that I did feel no pain.”

ALSO READ: ‘I said yes’: Zahara confirms engagement to Mpho Xaba

Drinking away the pain?

The singer also told TimesLive how she fell into drinking as a way to deal with the loss of her brother.

“I used to drink for myself to be happy, but now I saw I was drinking to sleep because of my brother’s death and what the company was doing to me. I couldn’t talk to nobody because I was scared of everything,” she said.

It appears she is doing much better now and has even gotten engaged this year.

ALSO READ: ‘He bought me a ring’: Zahara on current partner and jealous ex


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