Ontario / South Africa - World / African
Liziwe "Lizzy" Mahashe
Singer, composer, teacher, dancer and choreographer, Liziwe 'Lizzy' Mahashe, was born in Cape Town, South Africa. Forced to leave home during the depths of apartheid, she initially settled in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania, in 1977, where her sweet voice and vibrant dancing graced the line-up of several top Zairian bands. A few years later, she moved to Canada. Liziwe has been compared to the great African songstress, Miriam Makeba. With an incredible vocal power, coupled with a remarkable stage presence, Liziwe keeps her audience spellbound. Mariposa is very pleased to present this dynamic performer.
Liziwe "Lizzy" Mahashe is appearing in
Out of Africa Saturday at 6:00pm
Liziwe Saturday at 6:00pm
That Old Time Religion (1982) Sunday at 11:00am
Concert Sunday at 12:45pm
The World Stage Sunday at 3:00pm
Singer, composer, teacher, dancer and choreographer Lizzy Mahashe was born in Cape Town, South Africa. Her talents were recognized at the tender age of nine, when she began singing in church and school choirs. Following in the footsteps of Mama Africa (Mirriam Makeba.) Lizzy’s extraordinary gifts have been recognized by numerous awards and nominations including the following: Black Label Artist Coalition Award for her contribution in the African Canadian Music scene; Toronto African Music Award (TAMA) - Best Female Performance; (TAMA), best and of the year (Siyakha); and four TAMA nominations: Best New Performer, New Album/Africa Belongs To Me, Best Composer, Best individual performer, best band of the year (Shaza) and 2008 South African Consul General Arts and Culture Award.
Forced to leave home during the depths of apartheid, Lizzy initially settled in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania in 1977 where her sweet voice and vibrant dancing graced the line-up of several top Zairian bands. In 1985, Lizzy joined Tanzania All Stars by special invitation from the Tanzanian Government, and co-wrote songs commemorating the death of Mozambique's' President, Samora Machel. A few years later, Mahashe came to Canada and was quickly scooped up by a number of African bands. Her longest sojourn has been as a core member of Kobèna Aquaa-Harrison' JBO, Canada's premier all-star African group.
Lizzy's cool, smoky, powerful voice fires-up Canadian audiences at every performance, and she has shared the stage with internationally renowned artists and composers.
Lizzy's travels have taken her across the globe, her work extends beyond the stage - singing solo and backing vocals on albums and commercials together with noted producers such as Aron Niyitunga, Kofi Ackah and Kobé Aqua-Harrison.
An experienced teacher and educator, Lizzy teaches South African singing and gumboot dance at schools and universities. She was co-founding Board member of Worlds of Music multi-cultural organization and also teaches through Mariposa in schools. She has taught South African singing to a number of musical groups from Canada and beyond and was recently invited to assist on ROM project by renowned Canadian composers Laurel McDonald and John Oswald. As well, she assisted on the production of a play written by South African storyteller Gcina Mhlophe and a recent Aids awareness project (Let’s find a way,) and the (Emmanuel’s Wish Foundation Charity organization.)
As we speak, her voice has been immortalized in the spirit room at the ROM. After the South African songstress (Miriam Makeba) passed away, Lizzy hosted a tribute/ fundraiser show for Miriam Makeba and the Makeba center for girls. Mahashe released her first album (Africa Belongs to Me) in 1977. Her song, Lala Sana is featured in a children’s songs album (Sound Adventures), and her second album (Celebrate) is in production.