Zolani Mahola, lead singer of FreshlyGround, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to travel to San Diego and record her next mega-hit over a five day jam session with SA’s very own global music phenomenons, Goldfish.
Born in Bhisho, Mahola grew up on Ntshekisa Street in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth.
With only 4 days to go before the campaign closes, Zolani has encouraged her fans to help her give back by pledging funds towards her campaign that will sponsor motivational talks at schools and musical mentorship for children. The crowdfunding campaign also offers funders rewards for their contributions like receiving the track before it’s release date, signed artworks, live studio listening sessions and even a private performance by Zolani.
Earlier this year, Zolani, Dom and Dave (Goldfish) came together in Cape Town to explore their long time desire to collaborate. They met in Dom’s Southern Suburbs apartment, still exactly how he left it before moving to San Diego, littered with surfboard bags and ancient photographs of the duo. Catching up on lost time, the musicians began discussing an exciting new sound they couldn’t wait to uncover.
In order to fund this creative collab, Zolani needs to raise R190 000 for flights, accommodation, studio time and tech. A crowdfunding campaign was launched on Thundafund.com to raise the funds, and the budgeting of expenses will be controlled by a project management company to ensure that Zolani and her team stay on track and are accountable to their funders. Any additional funds raised will be invested into Zolani’s solo project, as she hopes to explore collaborations with various artists abroad and on the African continent.
After almost two decades in the industry, Zolani is excited to embark on a solo journey that will allow her to collaborate with artists she admires and give her fans the opportunity to be a part of this next wave of musical brilliance.
Zolani was born in the early 80’s and is a pure product of the music of the day: Lucky Dube, Madonna, Mahlatini and the Mahotella Queens, The Manhattans, Dolly Parton, Stimela, Stevie Wonder and Roxette. A pure impure mashup of stuff that made her ears perk up and caused her heart to sing. The co-existing contradictions continued in the Catholic hymns she absorbed at school and the traditional Xhosa rhythms and harmonies she learned at the ceremonies at home on the weekend.
Over the course of her career, Zolani joined a group of musicians to form one of SA’s most successful bands, Freshlyground, and visited nearly every continent. Playing with legends like Johnny Clegg, Vusi Mahlasela, Oliver Mtukudzi, they also opened stages for BB King and Robbie Williams.
“I’ve realized dreams I never knew I had and I’ve reached lows I never knew I would but it’s been amazing. I can’t complain because after nearly two decades, several accolades, incredible concerts and seven albums brimming with music later; I can say I’m still doing what I love!” – Zolani Mahola.
More about Zolani Mahola | #AlgoaLive – Zolani and Goldfish.
Alan Straton
Latest posts by Alan Straton (see all)
- South African Conquers Rats on the World Stage - 30 October 2026
- Old JPG on a Memory Stick? Vectorization Studio in Observatory Redraws Faded and Low-Resolution Logos by Hand - 30 October 2026
- ReAutomated Adds Robot Palletising and Case Packing Cells to Existing South African Packing Lines Without Stripping Out the Conveyors - 30 October 2026
- From a 5 KM Sprint to an Ultra: Punisher Sets Out Its Magaliesberg Obstacle Race Formats for First Timers, Teams and Fitness Clubs - 30 October 2026
- Rotary or Dual Action? Germiston’s Polisher Lists Its Machines, Buffs and Compounds for Car Paint and Metal Finishing - 30 October 2026
