Album from Zahara's sisters

Poliswa Plaatjie

ZAHARA'S three older sisters are set on emulating their famous sibling and are working on releasing their debut gospel album.

Known as the Mkutukana Sisters, they have dreamt of recording an album since they started singing in the early 1990s.

Nomonde, 36, Bandezwa, 31, and Lumka, 34, said they had the support of Zahara.

"We started singing at church and formed a group called Born Again Sisters," Nomonde said.

"We've always wanted to record an album. In 1996 we recorded with Mandla Makubalo and Thembelani Batala but we never finished that project."

This year the sisters recorded a demo with Batala.

Nomonde said they were "discovered" by East London company Miaay Sounds when they held a ceremony for Zahara at their Phumlani home last year. "After recording the demo, Miaay Sounds signed us and we started working on our new album."

Zahara said she was happy her sisters were recording their own album. "I always tell people I'm from a musical family. This was bound to happen. I'm behind them all the way and I am praying for them.

"They won't make it big because of my name, it will be because of God. I believe in their talent and music."

The sisters' debut album, Mkutukana Sisters, is expected out next month.