Zolani Mahola - Biography, Career and Songs

Zolani Mahola  is a well-known South African singer, actress, storyteller, and inspirational speaker, also performing under the stage name The One Who Sings. She gained prominence as the lead vocalist of the pan-African music group Freshlyground, which she joined in 2002. The band achieved international acclaim during their 17-year journey together. On August 15, 2019, Mahola announced the beginning of her solo career, coinciding with Freshlyground's final concert held on December 31, 2019, at Kirstenbosch Gardens in Cape Town.

Early Life

Zolani Mahola, born on July 19, 1981, in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa, spent her formative years on Ntshekisa Street in New Brighton township, living with her father and younger sister from 1999 to 2001. She attended Trinity High School, which later merged into St Dominic's Priory School. During her final year of high school, Mahola worked as a receptionist at Makro during weekends and school holidays.

Mahola pursued a degree in Theatre and Performance at the University of Cape Town, where she also embarked on her career in acting. She notably starred in the lead role of the television drama Tsha-Tsha, which aired on SABC 1. Beyond acting, Mahola showcased her vocal talent by voicing the character Zoë in the animated feature film Zambezia (2012) and contributed the song "Get Up" to its original soundtrack.

Musical Career

Zolani Mahola co-founded Freshlyground in Cape Town in 2002 alongside six other musicians. The band gained significant recognition after releasing their second album, Nomvula, in 2004, with The Sunday Times hailing Mahola as one of South Africa's most inspiring young singers.

In 2006, Mahola and Freshlyground toured with English pop star Robbie Williams, performing in cities like Cape Town, Durban, and Pretoria as Williams' supporting act. They also opened for B.B. King at a performance in Paris during the late 2000s and appeared at Radio City Music Hall for the 2009 46664 concert, sharing the stage with legends like Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and Cyndi Lauper. The event was hosted by Whoopi Goldberg.

A career highlight came in 2010 when Mahola, alongside Freshlyground and Shakira, performed "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the FIFA World Cup. The song, which became the official anthem of the tournament, garnered global acclaim.

In 2011, Mahola was honored at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards in Johannesburg, where she and her bandmate Kyla-Rose Smith were recognized as "The Icons" of South African women. Reflecting on her journey, Mahola revealed plans in 2018 to embark on a solo project independent of labels and major sponsors.

On August 15, 2019, Zolani Mahola made a significant announcement, marking the beginning of her solo career as a musician, storyteller, and transformational speaker. Later that year, in November 2019, she wrote and starred in a solo theatrical production titled "The One Who Sings" at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town. Her performance earned her the prestigious Fleur Du Cap award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2020.

In January 2020, Mahola had the honor of performing at Kirstenbosch Gardens alongside Grammy Award-winning cellist Yo Yo Ma. This collaboration included renowned Xhosa musician Madosini and was part of the "Amphibious Soul" project, presented at the United Nations in mid-2020. Mahola, an ambassador for the Sea Change Project (known for "My Octopus Teacher"), contributed to this initiative.

Mahola released her first official solo single, "Remember Who You Are," on November 27, 2020. The release coincided with her involvement in the Give Her A Crown campaign, a platform empowering women and addressing gender-based violence in South Africa through storytelling.

In October 2021, Mahola released the single "Wawundithembisile" featuring Sun-El Musician. She anticipates the release of her debut studio album, "Theta Mama," scheduled for later in 2021.

Songs

Album

Theta Mama (TBA)

Singles

Doo Be Doo 

I'd Like 

Nomvula 

Get Up 

Father Please 

Pot Belly 

Zithande 

The Dream of Love 

Fire Is Low 

Take Me to the Dance 

Makes Me Happy 

Chicken to Change 

Human Angels 

Would You Mind 

Is There A Place 

Mowbray Kaap