Zolani Mahola: African Storyteller

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 […]

Travel & Fee Range:**

  • Travels from: Cape Town, WC
  • **Fee range: On Request

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 […]

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.

Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Facebook

Zolani Mahola | African Storyteller

Speakers Contact

Speaker Enquiry Form

Talent Resources to download

In order to view the below you must be logged in.

  • Powerpoint Slide – For meeting and event planners
  • Gallery Images
  • High Resolution Images
  • PDF Files
  • Books and Magazine Links

View further speakers

5FM’s Fikile ‘DJ Fix’ Moeti is a well-known South African Radio DJ, Club DJ and TV Personality (born 10 September 1986).  Fix, made MTV history when she became the first female VJ on ‘MTV networks Africa’. The entrepreneurial 27-year-old beauty has graced our screens since 2006 when she won a nationwide competition to become MTV base’s […]

Nico Panagio was born and bred in a beautiful little village known as Pretoria. After matriculation at Pretoria Boys High School, Nico went on to complete his military service in the South African Navy. He was appointed the Captain of his Division and was ranked Able Seaman. Following 5 years in the corporate industry as […]

  • Celebrity Emcee

Andy Klee tenacity and talent has seen her go to international heights. She has entertained in the hottest nightclubs in some of the fastest growing cities in the world, alongside British and Australian bands, namely Hong Kong and Dubai. Andy has shared the stage with and opened performances for with great international bands including ‘The […]

  • Entertainer
  • (2 reviews)

Dr. Jacques Ludik is a visionary leader in the field of artificial intelligence, renowned for his innovative contributions and entrepreneurial spirit. As the founder of multiple AI companies, an award-winning AI leader, and a prolific author, Dr. Ludik has established himself as a pivotal figure in the advancement of smart technology. With a Ph.D. in […]

  • Artificial Intelligence

Steven Kitshoff is more than a two-time Rugby World Cup champion—he is a symbol of resilience, leadership, and excellence. Known for his fiery red hair and formidable presence on the field, Kitshoff has been a cornerstone of South African rugby, earning 83 caps for the Springboks and leading teams to victory in the most challenging […]

  • Springbok Legend

The founder and MD of Brilliance, Samantha Hillion-Burns is dedicated to helping companies around the world become more successful at and by proactively looking after customers’ best interests. Passionate about her clients, Samantha provides effective customer experience tools, practical advice and inspirational training.  Having over 25 years’ executive experience in the field of keeping customers (including […]

  • Customer Service

Nozipho Tshabalala is a world-class facilitator and CEO of The Conversation Strategists, a trailblazing organization devoted to curating and moderating high-impact conversations that move societies forward. Renowned for her unique talent to steer transformative dialogues, Nozipho is the trusted voice in rooms where ideas shape policy, influence global economies, and ignite systemic change. Her work […]

  • Event Emcee

Jean de Villiers is a product of Paarl Gimnasium, the nursery of many a future South African star player (among them past international teammate Marius Joubert and South African back-rower Schalk Burger), De Villiers made his first impact at international level in the South African Sevens team, playing in ten of the eleven legs of […]

  • Rugby Legend
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Our Mission

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

Newsletter Signup

* indicates required

Intuit Mailchimp

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Speakers Inc Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

We promise to not spam you!

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel