Zolani Mahola spent her formative years in South Africa's Eastern Cape during the 1980s, a period marked by the entrenched system of apartheid. Though her family sought to shield her from its harsh realities, Mahola found solace and expression in the arts following her mother's early death. Her path led her to university in Cape Town, where she became the lead singer of Freshlyground, a band noted for its multi-racial composition and experimental musical style.
A pivotal moment in her career occurred through a chance encounter that resulted in the creation of "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" with Colombian music star Shakira. The song was selected as the official anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, an event that held particular significance as it was hosted by South Africa, marking the first time the tournament was held on the African continent.