Freshlyground star back for Xhosa food

Bobbi Sands

FROM the small streets of New Brighton to the stages of the world, Port Elizabeth born star Zolani Mahola from Freshlyground fame is still a small town girl at heart.
Zolani will touch down on home soil next week when the band arrive for two free community concerts as part of their 10 year anniversary.
The concerts, which will combine captivating story-telling with vibrant music from the seven-member group, will form part of the “old school” Freshlyground 10 Year Birthday South African Love No Hate tour.
The free concerts started on November 2 and will end on December 3 with them playing at the Nangoza Jebe (Centenary) Hall in New Brighton next Thursday.
There will also be a paid-for performance at the Boardwalk Amphitheatre on Wednesday.
The down to earth Zolani said she was always excited to play in front of her home crowd.
“I am excited to come home and see my friends and family.
“I have stayed in touch with my friends I grew up with,” said Zolani while on the road to her next venue.
“Even though I live in Cape Town now, Port Elizabeth is still home.
“Cape Town has similar features to PE, like the sea and it is a lot bigger.
“But having one’s family and friends around always makes a place a lot more special.”
Zolani said she had visited Port Elizabeth about four times already this year and made a point of seeing family and friends. She said nothing could compare to the traditional Xhosa foods of New Brighton.
“Yes, you can get smileys and chicken feet in almost every township, but they just don’t add up to the goodness of New Brighton’s food.”
She also recalls Fort Frederick in Central as one of her favourite places to hang out, where she got up to mischief with her friends.
“We had some truly hilarious times there.”
She said she had visited many stunning countries and that Berlin and New York really stood out for her.
Zolani said she was excited by the tour and the band had chosen to call it Love No Hate because there was so much cynicism in the world.
“We need to be spreading the feeling of unity and love among the people of our country.”
As for the band’s 10 years in the business, Zolani said she never knew this would happen as it had been such a gamble.
“We became popular here and then in other parts of Africa.
“It’s amazing that we were so well received. You never know how people will respond to your craft,” said Zolani.
She said everyone was unique and that one just had to find out what set them apart as unique and they would succeed.
“You must believe that you are lucky and that you can do it.”
Zolani said after the tour they were planning another album and a “Best of” album.
“All seven of us bring something different to the table and all our music is a collaboration of ideas.”
They are also looking at doing a European tour next year.
Freshlyground has won an MTV Europe award and eight South African Music Awards including album of the year for Ma Cheri, May 2008, best duo/group also for Ma Cheri, May 2008 and best adult contemporary english album for Radio Africa, May 2011.
In 2010 they were selected to perform the official song of the 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa alongside multi-platinum selling artist Shakira.