From the concert stage to the community activism that has defined her more recent career, Zolani Mahola is a much-loved thread in Cape Town’s cultural tapestry. Perhaps best known as the vocal powerhouse at the front of the beloved pan-African band Freshlyground – and, of course, on Shakira’s ‘Waka Waka’ anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup - Mahola has played a key role in defining the sound of South African music over the last two decades.
And while ‘the one who sings’ is still to be found on stage, lately this proud Capetonian is carving out a new chapter in life, blending uplifting music with environmental advocacy and powerful storytelling.
She has opened for B.B. King in Paris and voiced a character in Zambezia. In October 2024, she took the stage at New York’s Carnegie Hall for the 30th anniversary of South African democracy. She’s also involved with two major film projects, including a nature-focused collaboration with My Octopus Teacher director Pippa Ehrlich. In short, Mahola’s career goes beyond labels, borders, or genres. In Cape Town, she’s a voice for causes as diverse as marine conservation, music education, and gender equity. If you’re lucky, you’ll still find her on stage creating joy and justice through music and song.
In this exclusive Local Intel, Zolani shares the places and spaces across Cape Town where she refills her creative cup.
MORE CELEBS SHARE THEIR LOCAL SECRETS