Be The Realness

Take a few minutes out of your day to listen to the dawn chorus recorded by Guy Buttery on his farm in the Midlands, South Africa. Best experienced with headphones.

Iri Di is an Ethiopian-French self-taught musician, and in this episode she explores the role that music has played in forging identity, meaning and magic. Originally produced during lockdown in 2020. "Iri's music navigates between afro rhythms, polyphonic singing, pentatonic and tonal harmonies; exploring the link between intimate and universal, organic and digital... Her music demonstrates the intricate bond between the multiple origins of her music, from the traditional singing of Hamer (her birthplace) to the great musical sounds of North Africa." - musicinafrica.net

In this long form conversation, producer Kim Winter chats to internationally celebrated guitarist Guy Buttery about growing up with the guitar, and overcoming illness through the healing power of Indian Classical music. To hear more of Guy's music please visit guybuttery.co.za 

Carla Fonseca is a multi-disciplinary artist, actor and musician who originally grew up in Mozambique. She is lead vocalist for the South African band Batuk. Carla talks about the role music played in helping to connect with her brother through his journey with addiction. Over the last few years as a singer and performer, Carla has worked hard to process the trauma of sexual abuse, with a focus on music and performance art, and the power they have to confront and heal.

Congo Cowboys banjo player and founding member and manager of South African band Freshlyground, Simon Attwell has been an international performing musician for over 20 years. Here he talks about anxiety, insomnia and how meditation has helped to quieten the 'buzz' in his brain.

Zolani Mahola is a South African singer, actress and transformational speaker. She has been the lead singer of the internationally acclaimed South African music group Freshlyground and launched her solo career in 2019 as a musician, storyteller and public speaker. To survive addiction, Zolani had to confront a childhood trauma, expose family secrets, and learn to practice daily self-restraint. Through her years as a singer, Zolani has developed a self-awareness that allows her to navigate life and thrive against a backdrop of abuse.Here she discusses how meditation has played a pivotal role as a tool for healing.

Zolani Mahola is a South African singer, actress and transformational speaker. She has been the lead singer of the internationally acclaimed South African music group Freshlyground and launched her solo career in 2019 as a musician, storyteller and public speaker.To survive addiction, Zolani had to confront a childhood trauma, expose family secrets, and learn to practice daily self-restraint. Through her years as a singer, Zolani has developed a self-awareness that allows her to navigate life and thrive against a backdrop of abuse.

An excerpt from The Realness with Zolani MaholaZolani Mahola is a South African singer, actress and transformational speaker. She has been the lead singer of the internationally acclaimed South African music group Freshlyground and launched her solo career in 2019 as a musician, storyteller and public speaker.To survive addiction, Zolani had to confront a childhood trauma, expose family secrets, and learn to practice daily self-restraint. Through her years as a singer, Zolani has developed a self-awareness that allows her to navigate life and thrive against a backdrop of abuse.