Zolani Mahola is a South African Storyteller – she is a singer, an actress, an Inspiration Speaker and an agent for social change. Zolani Mahola aka The One Who Sings
Born in Port Elizabeth in 1981, she studied Theatre and Performance at the University of Cape Town where she met musicians with whom she would later form pan-African multi-cultural multi-genre band Freshly Ground in 2002.
17 years and 7 albums later Freshly Ground has gone on to become a household name in South Africa and is one of Africa’s most acclaimed and successful bands. They have captured the heart of the continent and have also claimed global recognition.
One highlight of their near two decade career was a collaboration with pop superstar Shakira with whom they recorded the official song for the FIFA World Cup 2010 and performed it at the opening and closing ceremony for a global audience of over a billion people. The band has to date opened stages for and collaborated with such artists as Stevie Wonder, BB King, Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Robbie Williams, Oliver Mtukudzi, Vusi Mahlasela and Busi Mhlongo to name but a few.
Zolani Mahola is well loved and respected by South Africans for unifying the country through music and bridging social, racial and cultural divides. As an artist, she explores themes of identity and belonging and she shares a message of individual agency and responsibility.
She firmly believes that though we are all connected and have much in common, “our individual stories are unique; we must be curious about them, to find the reason we were put on this planet and to realise our full expression.”
She has been a judge on the acapella show The Sing-Off (2009) and guest judge on Idols (2010) and The Voice (2016), encouraging uniqueness and a good work ethic in the contestants. She sang the lead in a new South African musical “Calling Me Home” (2017) at Joburg Theatre.
Recently collaborated with Zip Zap Circus School, for whom Zolani Mahola is an ambassador and board member, and the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra at Joburg Theatre in the boundary breaking production“ Journey Beyond” (2019).
Zolani is passionate about sharing her experience for the good of her community and has expanded her portfolio to include what she terms Inspiration Talks. In these talks she shares intimately about her life story, challenges and wins … encouraging others to investigate their own stories and to share them too. She believes that this sharing and listening leads to empathy and will lead to healing pain caused by division in our societies globally.
Zolani Mahola is currently recording her debut solo material with Grammy nominated producer JB Arthur who, together with acclaimed bass player Victor Sibusiso Masondo produced Freshly Ground’s biggest selling album to date.
She will release the material in the latter part of 2019. The artist is also currently developing a theatrical production called “The One Who Sings” which will see its debut release staged at the Baxter theatre in Cape Town in November 2019. 2020 will find Zolani staging the production all over the country as well as globally.
The next phase of Zolani Mahola’s career will see her staging her musical productions in concert halls, auditoriums, concert spaces and theatres the world over as the world joyfully discovers The Next Chapter of this global icon.
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Benny Masekwameng is a genuine South African homegrown treasure. He was lured into the art of preparing and cooking food by his mother, who supplied meals to construction workers in Alexandra Township as an additional income.
Benny Masekwameng is one of the judges for the renowned MasterChef SA reality television programme.
Benny believes it is this early start in his mom’s kitchen that set him off on his impressive culinary journey. After graduating in Catering Management at the Natal Technikon, Benny held various positions throughout South Africa and joined Southern Sun Hotels in 2006.
With the support from Southern Sun and acclaimed Execeutive Chefs like Kenneth Ngubane and Arnold Stuurman, who had an interest in his exceptional natural talent, Benny rose to the top in a profession where the odds were against him. His mother taught him the stamina and creativity required to be successful and to continuously rejoice in and celebrate his heritage. “Sometimes people tell me that I am so lucky to be an executive chef, but luck has nothing to do with it. I am successful because I am true to myself, the values my mother taught me, I work hard, I love food and I have received the support required to excel”, says Benny.
Benny Masekwameng revels in the opportunity to represent Southern Sun and South African cuisine at international food festivals and is especially excited about the opportunity to be a judge on MasterChef SA.
“I’m so privileged to be chosen as a judge. Now perhaps I can pass along the opportunities and direction I received in my career and hopefully inspire others with the story of my journey.”
This popular taste maker is in constant demand, and is eminently qualified to offer an expert perspective on what constitutes culinary excellence.
In addition to his many daily responsibilities at Tsogo Sun, he also gives of Benny Masekwameng time to serve on the panel which awards the coveted “platinum status” ranking to the country’s most prestigious restaurants and establishments.
He has also been instrumental in the recent upgrade of SAA’s First Class and Business Class menus.
With such an impressive track record, it’s easy to see why Chef Benny is a key player in the latest season of MasterChef South Africa. His undisputed authority and vast experience equips him to evaluate contestants with a high degree of expertise – and, for those who can’t take the heat, the MasterChef kitchen may just prove to be the ultimate challenge.
A perfect gentleman with an easy smile, Benny is passionate about sharing his culinary knowledge with his peers and with the contestants, and sets the bar for aspiring chefs countrywide. Let the games begin.
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Household name Danny K (real name Danny Koppel) sang his way into South African hearts almost 20 years ago – but there are now audiences around the country surprised to hear the multi-talented singer, songwriter, producer and businessman deliver inspiring keynote addresses.
Best known for his SAMA award-winning hits and the non-profit organisation SHOUT, which he co-founded in 2007, Danny continues to reinvent himself in the public eye, appealing to even the most tough and cynical audiences.
Danny has crafted a disarmingly candid keynote speech that explores the personal and business challenges he has met on the often bumpy road to success. Not shy to show his vulnerability, he is able to inspire virtually anyone to overcome self-limiting beliefs.
What sets him apart as a speaker is the fact that he weaves singing and music into this charismatic presentation.
Revealing little-known facts about his life, Danny shows how the universal themes of facing rejection and dealing with tragedy apply to everyone, no matter their background and status.
Most importantly, Danny K message reveals that it is necessary to celebrate diversity and to reinvent oneself to stay relevant – a lesson on sustainability that all individuals and businesses can relate to. Sharing the vicissitudes of success,
Danny shows that one needs inner strength to deal with loss and changing fortunes. Perhaps the most important value he shares is the belief that successful South Africans should ‘pay it forward’ and uplift their fellow human beings wherever possible.
Leveraging his highly reputable personal brand, this lovable South African performer brings a captivating combination of dynamism and sincerity to the speaker circuit.
“Before people hear me deliver a keynote, they’re confused about what I’m speaking about and if I can actually do it! But after five minutes, the audience gets it. It’s almost like a show with a twist!”
“My speaking is another chapter in my performance career. It’s still performance, even though it’s more speaking than singing.”
“There’s a lot about me that people don’t know, which is one of my main motivations for public speaking.”
“Having lived as a public figure for almost 20 years in South Africa, one of the things that I may have communicated poorly is some of the failures and challenges I experienced along the way. My talk provides a voyeuristic look at my life.”
“One of my themes is the common humanity we all share, whether we’re rich or poor, famous or obscure.”
“The art of facing rejection is a big theme.”
“The celebrity currency I have got to spend through SHOUT is a privilege – when you are given the gift of position, fame or money you should give back in South Africa. I am a huge believer in pay-it-forward social entrepreneurship.”
“Whether Danny K is talking to a CEO or the company’s tea lady, my message is that everyone has faced rejection and tragedy and been forced to evolve to be relevant or change when the situation calls for it. My talk is for everyone.”
“My story could be as inspirational as anyone else’s story – the difference is that I sing. My music gives my presentation an edge.”
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