East London afro-soul sensation Zahara has been named as the first ever musician in SA to sign a concert residency at Johannesburg's Emperors Palace.
The luxury casino and hotel will be the new musical home for the singer from April 2020.
Emperors Palace announced the concert residency on social media platforms this week.
Speaking to the Dispatch on Friday, Zahara said they were currently working on a schedule with the establishment.
The Loliwe hitmaker said the challenges she had faced in her music career had only made her stronger.
"The hardships that I have experienced in my career could have broken me but instead they made me stronger," Zahara said.
"I am absolutely thrilled by this milestone in my career.
"It is by the grace of God that this is happening for me.
"I am an advocate for standing strong in your craft and protecting it at all costs."
Zahara said her diverse audience members had played an important role in her career.
"I have received invitations to perform at different types of events and festivals for the young and the old.
"This residency is a window of opportunity for people to have access to my music and performances.
"It will allow me to explore many performance elements – I could include choirs and orchestras for instance," she said.
The multi-platinum selling singer broke out into the SA music industry with her hit album Loliwe in 2011.
The album reached platinum selling status in just 13 days and double platinum after 17 days.
In 2012, the singer won eight awards including Best Female Artist at the South
African Music Awards (Sama).
Her second studio album, Phendula , won three Samas including Best Selling Album.
The late SA statesman, Nelson Mandela, invited the singer to his home in 2014 to perform for him.
The songstress then composed Nelson Mandela, in his honour, and later released it as an EP.
Zahara said the concert residency was the start of something new.
"This is just the beginning," she said. Emperors Palace took to social media to confirm the singer's residency.
"We are delighted to announce a start of a great partnership with the amazing afro-pop musician Zahara.
"We are proud to have the amazingly talented singer as a resident performer."
