Marah Louw

Soweto-born singing sensation Marah Louw is one of South Africa’s greatest superstars of all time. As the recepient of two Life Time Achievement Awards from the DAC (Department Of Arts and Culture) and the South African Concert Promoters Association’s Legend of the Decade Award, the singer of The Circle Of Life in the Disney film The Lion King and her recent role as judge on the panel of Idols, Louw has had a far-reaching impact on the entertaiment industry.  She even has a rose named in her honour by Ludwig Roses!

Louw started singing at the age of 10 and has since developed an impressive record of awards and performances.  She has toured Japan, Hong Kong, The Philippines and London with the traditional show Meropa, starred in countless musicals including Showboat, Fame and The Crucible, and has been recognized as Best Female Vocalist by Radio Sotho and Zulu. She has sung for leaders such as Nelson Mandela, F.W De Klerk, Thabo Mbeki, The Queen of England and the Queen and Prime Minister of Denmark, and was invited on a month-long tour of Scotland, England and Wales as part of and Anti-apartheid movement in the United Kingdom.  She has appeared as a soloist all over the globe including Paris, Egypt and Switzerland and received a myriad awards and accolades over the years.

Louw has made numerous television appearances during her illustrious career, including playing  a lead role in seasons 1-8 of Muvhango, a Venda-Sotho series, as well as featuring in the South African box office hit film Taxi To Soweto.  Louw has been a Judge for Mnet Pop Idols Seasons 2-6 and even  has her own Talk Show,Marah And Friends, on SABC 2.

In 1987 Louw was Elected President of the Musicians Union Of South Africa with Johny Clegg as Vice President. She  also served as Treasurer for PAWE (Performing Arts Workers Equity) under the umbrella of COSATU and is currently the Ambassador for Child Welfare South Africa.

Her breathtaking voice is soulful and rich with the complexity from the multiple influences which have informed her illustrious career.  Louw, one of South Africa’s finest products, will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy in the world of music.