Formerly known as Port Elizabeth, Qberha is a port city located on the southeastern of South Africa, by the Indian Ocean. It is the pot of gold at the end of the stunning Garden Route, that winds its way along the Cape Coast. 

Also known as the friendly city, Qberha, boasts blue flag beaches, great weather throughout the year, and ranks high as a magnate for foreign direct investment in Sub-Sharan Africa.

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Ruth is immediately enthralled by Zolani Mahola’s music origin story in Freshly Ground. Much like a scripted movie, Zolani started singing with the band after being spotted by one of its original members and her “Yes” resulted in a glorious seventeen years with the beloved and world-renowned band where she was not only the lead singer but also the main lyricist.

But far from stroking her ego on her spectacular song writing and singing process, Zolani is almost mystical in reflection of the gift that she holds with care. For this, she credits a dear friend who introduced her to the idea of “Song Catching”. The roots of the thoughts that he in turn had learned from the  San People, an indigenous people of the Western Cape. This creative process underlines Zolani’s humility towards her craft and how it has evolved into her being more than a singer-songwriter. Ruth and Zolani resonate in the vein of celebrating something bigger than an individual in living out their craft.

Zolan’s love for her children is evident as is her deep respect for motherhood. With the challenges that accompany modern living not just as a working mum, but one who’s craft demands travel and time alone to be creative, finding balance remains a central focus.

This self-same love, and painful experiences in her childhood, have sharpened Zolani’s gaze on the world. From poetically singing the hit song, Doo-Be-Doo, which was a call to action, she has firmly stepped into the social justice arena, fierce in her advocacy for safe childhood and joining the call for an end to the racially driven and extractive engineered wars in Palestine, The Congo and Sudan.

When she sings, Zolani’s voice carries through crystal, its unique tones instantly recognisable, needing no accompaniment. Whether storytelling, speaking or singing, Zolani Mahola has an important message to convey. A message that rings musically in our ears and resonates deeply within the listener.

Twendeni. Africa is ready. 

Connect with Zolani: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSKj8KKjSDX/

Listen to Zolani on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jqv4L-Gk2CU

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