Award-winning vocalist Zolani Mahola is stepping into what she describes as a bold, refreshed era—one driven by new songs, daring creative choices, and a deeper sense of self. After years of high-profile work and reinvention, the South African star is now centering her identity more openly than ever.
Key takeaways
- Zolani Mahola is unveiling a new musical direction rooted in personal growth and creative risk-taking.
- Her upcoming album is titled People Power.
- The new single XhosaNostra is presented as a powerful Gqom anthem celebrating Xhosa pride and Eastern Cape roots.
- XhosaNostra includes material from late rapper Bravo Le Roux, with Mahola calling the release an honour.
- She has partnered with Virgin Music Group for this next chapter.
A new sound with cultural roots
Mahola recently discussed her evolving sound, sharing that reinvention has always been central to how she approaches music. She said her evolution reflects the mindset of a “thinking, feeling, questioning” person—and emphasized that she has long been drawn to multiple genres rather than sticking to one lane.
She frames the latest shift as “Zolani Mahola 3.0,” describing it as an ongoing creative journey that keeps her work feeling alive, exciting, and emotionally honest.
Her latest release, XhosaNostra, is said to be deeply tied to her background, highlighting her Xhosa heritage and the experience of growing up in the Eastern Cape. Mahola explained that the track represents her embrace of the cultural practices and pride she learned at home, calling it a celebration of being South African—“particularly Xhosa.”
On top of its cultural message, the song carries added sentiment because it features one of late rapper Bravo Le Roux’s final recordings. Mahola said the collaboration was joyful and meaningful, adding that she and those around him miss him deeply and that sharing the track in his memory is an honour.
Embracing Gqom and a brand-new chapter
For the first time in her career, Mahola is leaning into Gqom as a musical direction. She described the genre as the right sonic match for this moment, saying she wants to ride the wave of a sound through which more people are learning about the country where she was born.
Her next chapter is also backed by a partnership with Virgin Music Group. Mahola said the collaboration felt natural from the beginning, pointing to the team’s enthusiasm and their understanding of her vision.
Outside of music, she continues to balance storytelling across theatre, activism, and performance—something she says flows from who she is at her core. She described herself as a storyteller in multiple forms, whether as a poet, songwriter, actor, or playwright, adding that stories shape the way people live.
What to expect from People Power
Looking ahead, Mahola’s forthcoming album, People Power, promises themes that blend personal storytelling with cultural pride, African identity, and hope for future generations in South Africa. She also revealed that the project revisits stories connected to Nomvula, one of Freshlyground’s much-loved early songs released about 25 years ago.
Mahola spoke about her creative journey after leaving Freshlyground, where she spent 17 years with the band. She said she spent time rediscovering herself artistically, even performing under the name “The One Who Sings” as a way to reconnect with music without commercial pressure.
Now, she says she feels ready to fully step back into herself. She shared that this year she rebranded and is releasing music under her own name, Zolani Mahola, explaining that the period of experimentation and artistic freedom helped her reconnect with her voice.
As she looks to the future, Mahola hopes her work adds to the world’s growing interest in African music and storytelling. She said she believes the global audience is ready, and that she wants to play a major role in lifting the African spirit beyond the continent.
