Marah Louw (born 17 July 1952) is a South African singer, songwriter, actress, and social activist. She is best known for her role as a permanent judge on Idols South Africa.
She translated The Lion King song into Zulu for Disney and sang the Zulu version of “Circle of Life.” She played Boi Maake in the Mzansi Magic telenovela The Queen.
Singer songwriter actress television personality anti-apartheid activist
Years active:
1970-date
Instruments:
Vocals
Genre:
Gospel Afro-soul African music World Hymns
Spouse:
Bill Thomson (m. 1986; div. 2004)
Children:
Moratuwa (daughter)
Relatives:
Rev Mokgethi Benjamin Louw (grandfather)Charlotte Masindi Louw (grandmother)
Early Life
Marah Louw was born on 17 July 1952 in Mzimhlophe, Soweto, Gauteng. Her father, Simanda Binca, and her mother, Trueblue Mabasotho Louw, had a falling-out after her birth and were never married.
She grew up with her grandparents, Rev Mokgethi Benjamin Louw and Charlotte Masindi Louw, whom she had believed were her parents. She has half-sisters and brothers, including Siphokazi Zokwana, wife of Minister Senzeni Zokwana.
Career
Louw began singing at the age of 10 with the choir Imilonji Kantu. She joined Caiphus Semenya’s musical, Meropa, in 1973 and has toured countries including South Africa, Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and London. With the group, she sang for the Queen at a Royal Command Performance in 1975.
After returning to South Africa, Louw launched a solo career. She has performed across African countries such as Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Lesotho, Swaziland and Namibia. She also performed at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert at Wembley Stadium, London in June 1988.
She sang at the inaugurations of Presidents Mandela, Mbeki and Zuma and performed at the memorial services of activist Walter Sisulu and politician Joe Slovo. She served as the Executive Producer of The Sophiatown Musical Experience and The Miriam Makeba Tribute to Dorothy Rathebe.
Louw has also toured England, Scotland, Switzerland, France, Wales, Egypt and Denmark. She has performed for the Queen in 1995 and also for the Prime Minister in 1998. She produced the musical concert Surf in 2001.
She translated The Lion King’s song into Zulu for the Walt Disney Corporation and also performed the theme song “Circle of Life” in Zulu. She also performs at corporate events and special dinner functions.
In 1984, she was named Best Female Vocalist by Radio Sotho and Zulu. She was a nominee for an Artes Award for her album Mara. She bagged an Artes Award for Best Performance with the National Symphony Orchestra in the Jo’burg Pops Concerts.
Louw was a permanent judge on the M-Net reality competition series Idols from 2003 to 2010. She hosted her cooking show Mara Louw and Friends in 2007 and played a lead role as Catherine Mukwevho on the SABC2 soap opera Muvhango.
Louw played the starring role as Jumaima in season one of the SABC2 sitcom Skwizas in 2010. She portrayed Girlie in the SABC1 drama series Tempy Pushas in 2013 and returned in 2015 and 2016.
She played Ivy Sibeko in the Mzansi Magic miniseries Like Father Like Son in 2013. She has starred in many theatre productions, including the international classics Showboat, Fame, The Crucible, and Hairspray.
Louw has also appeared in local musicals such as African Odyssey, Baby Come Duze and Nkosi The Healing Song. She starred in the award-winning film Taxi to Soweto, as Boi Maake in the Mzansi Magic telenovela The Queen, and as Ma Mgcina in the e.tv sitcom B&B.
In 2017, she released her memoir, It’s Me, Marah, which was launched at Vilakazi Restaurant in Orlando West, Soweto.
Louw has served as the President of the South African Musicians Alliance. She addressed the South African Parliament’s Trade and Industry Committee in support of copyright reform and royalty rights for artists in 2021.
Marah has won many awards, such as the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award from the South African National Department of Arts and Culture. She also received the Legend of the Decade Award from the South African Concert Promoters Association and an honorary doctorate in Philosophy in Arts and Music from the Gonnafela Letlole Academy (GLA).
Personal Life
Marah was married to her ex-husband Bill Thomson for 19 years before they divorced in 2004. She has previously been in a relationship with choral conductor George Mxadana and musician Thapelo Mofokeng. She has a daughter, Moratuwa, whom she had at the age of 17.
Sadly, her mother Trueblue Mabasotho Louw, was brutally killed by her partner on 15 May 1972.
Imanuweli Mzingeli joined Eyaziwa in 2026. He holds a degree in Political Science from a prestigious university. Outside of his storytelling work, he enjoys reading and video games.
