Latest news with #Freshlyground
News24
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Meet Nhoza Sitsholwana, a traditional African fusion genre singer
She fell in love with jazz at a young age and determined in her heart that she would pursue it in her own way. Nhoza, affectionately known as Unolali (The Village Girl), grew up in eXhukene (Knox Village) near King William's Town and started singing as a child alongside her mother, also a vocalist. Her musical journey expanded in Cape Town's Langa Township, where she fell in love with jazz and funk, eventually performing with bands like Alan Funk and sharing stages with Freshlyground, 340ml, and The Rudimentals at festivals like Rocking the Daisies. Now, Afro-soul singer Nhoza and internationally acclaimed producer and writer have come together to release their deeply spiritual and genre-blending new single 'Andiyazi', a powerful anthem born from a creative session steeped in ancestral reverence and musical synergy. The track, titled after the Xhosa phrase meaning 'I don't know,' weaves together traditional elements, catchy phrasing, and layered Afro-fusion instrumentals to tell a universal story of venturing into the unknown while being spiritually protected. Speaking about the song's inspiration, Nhoza shared: ' came with the final version of the song inspired by the unknown—when you leave home but our ancestors always watch over us. 'Andiyazi' has this timeless, catchy phrase, and we added more Xhosa lyrics in the studio. It was an inspirational session.' The creative collaboration marks a significant moment for both artists. for his work with global icons like BB King, Marlena Shaw, Ringo, and most recently the Grammy-nominated The Chess Project—brings decades of experience in soul, blues, and electronic music to the project. He also produced the vibrant and visually rich official music video, available now on YouTube. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Sanctuary (@the_sanctuary_restaurant_) Read more | 40 & Fabulous | Zikhona Sodlaka celebrates two decades in acting and reflects on motherhood 'I love fusing advanced soundscapes with compelling visuals,' says ''Andiyazi' is a sonic and visual offering—bridging tradition, spirituality, and modern expression.' Stepping confidently into her solo career, she sees this partnership with as a new chapter. 'This is more than just a collaboration—it's a soul journey. I want to keep growing as a songwriter, perform live, and break new musical boundaries. Working with a legend like Rich has been the perfect start.' Looking ahead, fans can expect more music from the duo, including a high-energy Amapiano/dance version of 'Andiyazi' dropping closer to summer, as well as plans for a full-length album by late 2025 or early 2026. Inspired by powerful female voices such as Letta Mbuli, Busi Mhlongo, and Thandiswa Mazwai, Nhoza also dreams of collaborating with Nigerian-French soul artist Aṣa, whom she describes as her absolute favourite.
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Feel the pride: Zolani Mahola to rock the national anthem at Hollywoodbets Durban July
Zolani Mahola will deliver a rendition of the national anthem at the Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday, July 5, 2025. Taking place at the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, this year's event promises to be a dazzling celebration under the "Marvels of Mzansi" theme. Zolani Mahola , the renowned lead vocalist of the celebrated band Freshlyground, will deliver a rendition of the national anthem at the Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday, July 5. The theme captures the essence of South Africa's vibrant spirit, showcasing the country's rich culture, creative ingenuity, and a fashion scene that stuns. Mahola's performance is set to be one of the highlights of the day, adding a layer of pride and unity to what is not only a prestigious horse racing event but also a full cultural experience. Born and raised in Gqeberha, Mahola's career trajectory is as inspirational as it is impressive. She studied Theatre and Performance at the University of Cape Town and made her mark early on as an actress in the television drama 'Tsha Tsha'. Furthermore, her voice has graced the animated feature film 'Zambezia', where she voiced the character Zoë and lent her talents to the soundtrack with the uplifting song "Get Up'. As the frontwoman of Freshlyground, Mahola emerged as a household name, thanks to the band's unique sound that beautifully blended African pop and jazz, captivating listeners around the globe with hits like the beloved 'Doo Be Doo'. Yet, Mahola's ambitions have transcended her early successes. In recent years, she has carved out a powerful solo career, showcasing her storytelling finesse alongside her remarkable vocal abilities.
Mail & Guardian
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
ZOLANI MAHOLA: On music, motherhood and making meaning
'To raise a child with tenderness is an act of resistance': Zolani Mahola. Photo: Gary van Wyk Zolani Mahola has always had range, vocally and creatively, but also as a mother, activist and mentor. She first entered South Africa's spotlight as the luminous voice of Afro-fusion band Freshlyground, and is now a solo artist known as 'The One who Sings', who is embracing motherhood, not as an interruption of her artistry, but as its most authentic source. Her story didn't start out as one of stardom. Born in Gqeberha in 1981, Zolani grew up in a home where money was often scarce, a reality that gave her resilience, but also a complicated relationship with financial security. 'I became aware from a young age of money's weight and power,' she reflects. 'But I also carried some fear around it that took time to unlearn.' It's a story many South African mothers know all too well. Having to make do with less, turning scarcity into sustenance, and shielding their children. But Zolani's perspective on wealth has evolved. She now sees money not as a measure of success or self-worth, but simply as 'energy… a tool for freedom and impact, especially when used in alignment with purpose and community.' That purpose is evident in everything Zolani touches. From co-creating the 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem, 'Waka Waka', to forming her all-female band The Feminine Force, Zolani is challenging industry norms and rewriting the rules of what being an artist and mother look like. 'Motherhood didn't take me away from my art; it brought me closer to my truth,' she says. 'In entertainment, it's often seen as a complication—but for me, it's a deepening.' Zolani explains her belief that to mother is not just a private act, but a political one. 'In a time when the world feels heavy, fast, and uncertain, motherhood is radical,' she says. 'To raise a child with tenderness… is an act of resistance.' Her approach to parenting is steeped in reverence, not control. 'Children come into this world whole, intuitive, and deeply connected to themselves and the Earth,' she explains. 'As mothers, we are guardians of that light. My role is not to mould my children into who I think they should be, but to protect their curiosity… to help them stay connected to their inner knowing.' The loss of her mother at a young age also informs how she shows up for her own children, and how she teaches them about money. 'I want my children to see money as a tool, not something to fear or chase,' she says. 'True wealth, to me, is about community, creativity, and freedom… not just what we earn, but what we pass on emotionally and spiritually.' For working mothers across South Africa, Zolani's message is honest and hopeful, 'You don't have to do it perfectly, just consciously. And you don't have to do it alone.' She is particularly passionate about dismantling the myth that women don't support one another. 'My band The Feminine Force is built on the belief that when women support each other, magic happens,' she says. She credits unsung women—such as the praying woman down the road, the gogo next door raising a generation, the aunties who sang in church —as her role models, even when the entertainment world didn't reflect someone who looked like her. 'South African mothers are forces. We lead households, communities, and movements,' she says. Asked whether mothers can have it all, Mahola doesn't hesitate, 'We can have all that truly matters—love, connection, meaning, purpose—but not all at once, and not without cost.' Her definition of success is not perfection, but rather 'wholeness.' As South Africa honours mothers this month, Mahola stands tall not just as a musical icon, but as a mother.
Time Out
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Local Intel: Zolani Mahola
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.
