How I helped create the biggest World Cup song Waka Waka

Zolani Mahola grew up on the eastern cape of South Africa during the 1980s. The racial separatist system of Apartheid was in effect, which her family actively shielded her from. After her mother's early death Zolani found refuge in acting and singing and discovered her calling on stage performing. At university in Capetown, she became the lead singer of pioneering multi-racial and genre bending band, Freshlyground. A chance encounter led to them creating the most streamed Fifa World Cup song, Waka Waka, with Colombian music icon Shakira. It was selected as the official song for the first and only African World Cup, hosted by South Africa.

Presenter: Asya Fouks
Producer: Tommy Dixon

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(Photo: Zolani Mahola is on stage wearing a geometric patterned hat and dressed in a white dress with black designs of different shapes and patterns. She is leaning forwards and holding a black microphone in her left hand while singing. In the blurred background there is a lady filming on her phone and another looking downwards. Credit: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers)