Zolani Mahola is embracing change, personal growth and new possibilities with A Good Time, her latest single that offers a glimpse into the next chapter of her life and music career.
Also see: Zolani Mahola reveals exciting plans for her upcoming biopic
The South African singer, songwriter, actress and storyteller has released the track as the third single from her forthcoming album, People Power, due in 2027. Produced by London-based, Grammy-nominated producer Hannah V, the song pairs a warm, sensual groove with a message about moving forward after significant life changes.
For Zolani, the release is about more than making music. It reflects the personal work she has done following the end of her long-term marriage and the freedom she has found in approaching life differently.
Zolani Mahola on life after separation
The idea for A Good Time began with its chorus, which had been playing in Mahola’s mind before she brought it into the studio with Hannah V.
The line at the centre of the song, “You picked a good time to meet me,” reflects a period of self-reflection and personal growth.
“I felt at the time that I had learned so many lessons on the heels of my separation from my long-time partner, husband and father of my kids,” she explains. “Separation and divorce ask a lot of us; much of what is asked is to examine our part in the dissolution of the relationship.”
Rather than focusing on the pain of a relationship ending, Zolani uses the song to explore what can happen after that difficult period of introspection.
“I was opening up to life in a new way,” she says. “I was thinking how much my next partner will benefit from all of this tough work I’d done in the wake of this latest initiation! Hence this sexy groovy song was born!”
The result is a song that approaches new beginnings with confidence and a sense of possibility, celebrating the person one becomes after working through life’s challenges.
Moving beyond her Freshlyground identity
Zolani’s personal transformation has coincided with a significant shift in her professional life.
For 17 years, she was the recognisable voice of Freshlyground, the pan-African band that became one of South Africa’s most celebrated musical exports. Her time with the group included international tours, collaborations with Stevie Wonder and Hugh Masekela, and a performance alongside Shakira on Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), the global FIFA World Cup anthem.
Stepping away from the band meant reconsidering an identity she had shared with fellow musicians for much of her adult life.
“My identity shift from being a wife to a single lady for the first time in nearly 20 years coincided with me reclaiming my legacy post Freshlyground,” Zolani says. “There was also a lot of work to do around that separation – 17 years is a long time to be ‘married’ to a group of people.”
The experience has opened the door to a new phase of creative independence, allowing her to explore different musical directions without being defined solely by her previous work.
Also see: Freshlyground eager to get the ball rolling with new music following Zolani’s departure
From gqom to a sensual new sound
A Good Time also highlights the musical diversity listeners can expect from People Power.
The album’s first single, XhosaNostra, and its companion release, AmaXhosa, explored Xhosa identity, with XhosaNostra bringing an unexpected gqom influence to Zolani’s solo sound.
“XhosaNostra was a head-turner for people for sure. I don’t think people saw a gqom track coming from me!” she says. “There’s a joy in being able to use all of the colours available to us when we paint.”
Her willingness to experiment is consistent with a career that has crossed musical genres and brought her into collaboration with artists from different backgrounds.
In addition to her work with Freshlyground, Mahola has collaborated with musicians including Yo-Yo Ma, Sun-El Musician, Karen Zoid, Zakes Bantwini, The Soil, Anton Goosen, Gruff Rhys, Msaki, Ami Faku and Moonchild Sanelly.
Now, she has the freedom to bring those varied influences together in a way that feels distinctly her own.
“I get to experiment in a Zolani Mahola way now, and that’s a beautiful evolution,” the artist adds. “Not everyone gets to have a second act; I’m very much centre stage here in this second half of the ‘show.’”
What to expect from People Power
Expected in 2027, People Power will bring together the different influences and experiences that have shaped Zolani’s journey.
The album explores identity, cultural heritage, individual agency and collective strength, while drawing on the diversity of genres and cultures found in South Africa and beyond.
Zolani describes the project as an exploration of “the harnessing of the individual and collective voice and power.”
Although A Good Time offers a more personal and joyful perspective, it remains connected to the album’s wider themes. The song reflects an individual’s ability to grow and reclaim their voice, while the larger project considers what happens when people recognise the power they hold together.
For Zolani, storytelling provides a link between her music and her wider creative interests, which include theatre, film, nature and activism.
“This album is no different,” Zolani explains. “The power of the individual and collective voice is a central thematic storyline that runs all the way from XhosaNostra to A Good Time and ultimately to the full album People Power.”
With her latest single, Zolani continues to expand her sound while reflecting on the experiences that have shaped her. A Good Time is a reminder that starting over can create space for new possibilities, both personally and creatively.
Featured image: Supplied (Matt Levai)
Also see: Zolani Mahola pens down a message to her younger self
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp channel for content worth tapping into. Click here to join!