From growing up in the streets of New Brighton to performing on stages across the globe, singing sensation Zolani Mahola has never lost touch with her roots.
The former lead singer of Afro-fusion band Freshlyground, and now solo artist under the name The One Who Sings, the multi-award winning songwriter, singer, actress and motivational speaker was recently back home from Cape Town to visit her family.
“I have loved growing up in New Brighton.
“I still treasure the feeling of being known and of knowing my neighbours whenever I come back home.
“It’s an experience that is really unique and special — particularly in a world where progress equals isolation; where we lock ourselves behind high walls and live only for ourselves and our nuclear families,” Mahola said.
She said she was inspired by those she grew up with, and by the men and women who had fought “quietly and without gain” against apartheid.
“Those young people gave the best of their years to fight to liberate us.
“I am grateful and inspired by my people who have maintained grace and dignity despite decades of being told they were nothing in the eyes of the law and society.”
Reminiscing about her formative years, Mahola said there were so many fond memories of her time in New Brighton while living with her family in the home they occupy today.
“This was a time when everyone was invited to celebrate and to take part in festivities, where we all ate, drank, sang and danced together.
“Then I also have fond memories of being involved in those epic toyi toyis during the late 1980s as a child, being one with the mass of chanting and singing in union, calling in the new era of dawning freedom.
“We need to harness that energy of unity once more, and bring about true freedom and good governance,” she said.
Mahola said she was touched by the women, men and children singing in her church, and by those singing in traditional ceremonies.
“I was inspired by SA songwriters, singers and bands on the radio like The Soul Brothers, Stimela, Brenda Fassie and Sankomota.
“I was also inspired by listening to Barney Simon on 5fm playing Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins and David Bowie.
“I was inspired by my brother Lulama’s Motown tapes of Stevie Wonder, The Commodores, The Temptations, Al Green ... so many,” she said.
Mahola said anyone living in the New Brighton community should be proud to have the legacy of human connection.
“Our elders hold the keys of our origin, they hold ancient wisdom passed down from generation to generation ... wisdom and customs that give us direction today; when there are so many voices telling us who to be.”
Motivated by her father, Doc Nceba Mahola, she emphasised it was important to trust oneself.
“My father always allowed me to be who I am.
“I felt trusted to be myself.”
She said the arts were especially important in underserved environments like most of SA’s townships.
“Where the ills of an impoverished society are visited daily on us, we need the arts to understand that these ills are not ‘us’.”
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