| Zolani Mahola | |
|---|---|
Zolani Mahola at a Freshlyground concert in Glasgow |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Zolani Mahola |
| Born | July 19, 1981 [1] |
| Origin | Bhisho Eastern Cape |
| Genres | Afropop Kwela |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter musician Voice actor singer actress |
| Instruments | Lead vocals |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | Freeground Records |
| Associated acts | Freshlyground |
Zolani Mahola (born July 19, 1981 in Bhisho) is the lead singer of the South African band Freshlyground.
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She was born in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa where she grew up near the city of Port Elizabeth and went to school at Trinity High School which later amalgamated into St Dominic's Priory School. She moved to Cape Town and studied drama at the University of Cape Town.[2]
This led to her being cast in the lead role in the drama series Tsha-Tsha on the South African television channel SABC1.[3] Mahola voiced Zoë in the upcoming South African animated fantasy film Zambezia.[4]
She and six other musicians formed Freshlyground in Cape Town in 2002.[5] She traveled to Cape Town and Durban in South Africa with Robbie Williams in 2006.[6] Mahola was also featured in the FIFA 2010 World Cup official song "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" by Shakira.[7] She is said to be one of South Africa's best youthful singers and one of the most inspirational because of the song about her mother and father's life "Nomvula" (after the rain).[8]
She also worked as receptionist at Makro during weekends and school holidays. She grew up on Ntshekisa Street, a long and busy street in New Brighton, a township on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth. She stayed with her dad and younger sister between 1999 and 2001.[9] In 2011, Zolani and Freshlyground gave a free concert on Ntshekisa Street as part of their 10th birthday tour[10].