Motivational/Inspiration
Based: Cape Town
Zolani Mahola is one of South Africa’s most distinctive creative voices — an award-winning singer, actress, storyteller and inspirational speaker who brings together spoken word, personal storytelling and live music to create an experience that goes far beyond a conventional keynote.
Best known as the former lead singer and co-founder of the acclaimed pan-African band Freshlyground, Zolani spent 17 years performing on some of the world’s most prominent stages. Freshlyground achieved international recognition through their collaboration with Shakira on “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”, the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and Zolani has shared stages with artists including Stevie Wonder, Hugh Masekela, B.B. King, Johnny Clegg and Robbie Williams.
Today, performing under the creative identity The One Who Sings, Zolani has evolved her work into a compelling combination of storytelling, inspirational speaking and song.
A Speaking Experience Through Story & Song
Rather than simply delivering a speech, Zolani takes audiences on a journey. Drawing from her own extraordinary life — from her childhood in the Eastern Cape and her development as an artist, to international success, personal transformation and ultimately finding her own individual voice — she uses storytelling to explore the experiences that shape who we become.
Music is woven organically into the narrative. Songs become emotional punctuation to the stories, allowing audiences not only to hear her message but to experience it. Her background in Theatre and Performance, together with decades as an internationally recognised musician, gives her presentations an unusual theatrical and deeply human quality.
Her speaking work explores themes including identity, belonging, purpose, courage, authenticity, transformation, creativity and social connection. At the heart of her message is an invitation for people to examine the stories they carry, recognise their individual gifts and consider how those gifts can contribute to something greater.
Ideal for Corporate & Conference Audiences
Zolani’s Storytelling & Song format is particularly powerful for conferences, leadership gatherings, gala events, women’s events, transformation programmes and organisations looking for something more emotionally engaging than a traditional motivational keynote.
The experience can move effortlessly between intimate storytelling, humour, reflection and live singing, creating moments of connection that can be uplifting, thought-provoking and celebratory.
It is ultimately an experience about finding your voice — and having the courage to use it.
Format: Inspirational Speaking • Storytelling • Live Singing
Themes: Identity • Purpose • Belonging • Authenticity • Courage • Creativity • Transformation • Social Connection
Experience: A curated fusion of personal narrative, inspirational insight and live musical performance.
