Lira returning to stage
JOHANNESBURG - The queen of Afro-soul, Lira, is returning to the big stage this coming Africa Day after a two-year hiatus. The soulful singer has been recovering after suffering from a stroke.
Lira, whose real name is Lerato Moipone Molapo, will be performing live for the first time since suffering a stroke while in Frankfurt, Germany. The multi-platinum-selling singer, songwriter, speaker, entrepreneur and author was left unable to read, write or speak.
“People were initially interested in my recovery journey and, as time went by, started asking when I would perform again. I have been practising to perform as part of my recovery and have come to accept that the old Lira is gone. Lira first teased her vocal cords being ready to perform last year when she appeared at The RMB Starlight Classics during Sunnyboy and Masabane’s performance. “I am so excited and looking forward to being on stage again to perform at Bassline Fest Africa Day Celebration on Saturday, May 25.
Democracy
“What makes this performance extra special is that we are celebrating 30 years of democracy in South Africa, the new Lira and Bassline’s 30th Anniversary. “I have so much to be grateful for, and I look forward to seeing you at Constitution Hill Square on Africa Day. “Lira has gone from a stroke to singing health’, says Bassline Fest’s Paige Holmes.
“She calls this her ‘Stroke of Luck.’ Lira explains, “My stroke was a blessing as it has given me a second chance at life. Many people survive having a stroke, but the damage to
11:00 The Ro 00:00 96th Annual Academy Awards 2024; 03:00 Riverdale; 03:55 Colin From Accounts; 04:30 Balloon Animal; 06:00 Ella And The Little Sorcerer; 07:35 Call Me Kat; 08:00 Survivor Australia; 09:00 Carte Blanche; 10:00 Summertide; 11:00 The Rookie; 12:00 The Irrational; 1:00 Survivor Australia; 2:00 Fires; 3:00 The Voice; 4:00 Magnum P.I.; 5:00 NCIS; 6:00 Survivor Australia; 7:00 LA Fire & Rescue; 8:00 S.W.A.T.; 9:00 True Detective; 10:10 Yellowjackets; 11:20 Billions their brain leaves them permanently scarred and unable to move their bodies. “I feel fortunate that physically I have not been affected and the new me has accepted that my brain has been damaged, so I speak slower and need to learn to stay calm as stress affects my ability to communicate.
“I’m still recovering and I will get better with time, and I’m so grateful for that.”
Paige Holmes adds that another focus of Bassline Fest this year is ‘the strength of our women’.
“Celebrating the mothers and sisters who have the resilience, nurturing,
11:30 Ngempela; 12:00 Yotv Mvubu and Friends; 1:00 Lunch Time News; 1:30 Now or Never; 2:00 Teenagers on a Mission; 2:30 Mam’ Sakhile’s Story House; 3:00 Yotv Mvubu and Friends; 3:15 Yotv Mvubu and Friends; 3:30 Kulcha Kwest; 4:00 Yotv Mini Furry Tales; 4:30 Beat Makers Market Masterclass; 5:00 Elections 360; 5:28 Journeys Of Inspiration; 5:30 Siswati / Isindebele News; 6:00 Mzansi Instapreneurs; 6:30 Born Legends; 7:00 Xhosa/ Zulu News; 7:30 Skeem Saam; 8:00 Generations- The Legacy; 8:30 Uzalo; 9:00 Too Hot to be Single courage, creativity, and tenacity that keeps them, their families, and, in so doing, the continent going.
“This year is the year of gratitude to all the women; for us, these women represent our shared continent’s resilience, nurturing, courage, creativity and tenacity.”
Besides Lira’s performance, Bassline Fest attendees can expect an African artisanal market selling all manner of exquisitely creative African food, arts and crafts, bars, and other food and drink stalls.
Bassline Fest will be announcing the rest of the line-up later.
11:00 Deal or No Deal; 11:30 Parternity Court; 12:00 Speak Out; 12:30 Nhlalala Ya Rixaka; 1:00 Fundis; 1:30 Fundis; 2:00 Early Edition; 3:00 The Magical World Of Luna-Belle; 3:15 The Magical World Of Luna-Belle; 3:30 Smzee Show; 4:00 Words And Numbers; 4:30 Hectic Nine-9; 5:00 Inazuma Eleven; 5:30 Venda/ tsonga News; 6:00 Vetkoekpaleis; 6:30 Deal or No Deal; 7:00 Game Show TBC; 8:00 Setswana/sesotho/sepedi News; 8:30 Citizens Connect; 9:00 Muvhango; 9:30 Drama TBC; 10:30 How I Caught The Killer