'I want my set to be a celebration of life': Lira returns to Cape Town Jazz Fest 3 years after her debilitating stroke

CapeTalk's Zain Johnson (in for Sara-Jayne Makwala King) is joined by Lerato Molapo on Weekend Breakfast.

Afro-soul sensation Lira is set to return to the Cape Town International Jazz Festival three years after suffering a stroke.

She'll be performing on Saturday 26 April at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

The multi-Sama award winning songstress (real name Lerato Molapo) had her first show last May after a demanding rehabilitation process.

On Weekend Breakfast, she relates how the stroke left her unable to speak, read or write.

'I've been on quite a journey!" she says with a chuckle.

"I had to learn speaking like a child; learning the alphabet, learning to put words together, learning to speak."

"I tried singing and I never thought it would come so easily to me. I practised and had my first show in May last year, so I've been performing a little bit and singing has actually improved my speaking."

Lira, Singer

Her life has changed drastically since this health crisis, Lira says, and she is not putting herself under as much pressure as she was used to doing in her decades years of performing prior to the stroke.

"I take it easy - I enjoy life and the simple things in life. I was working so hard for 20 years I never smelled the coffee, so this experience has caused me to slow down and not to take life so seriously."

Lira, Singer

The singer says she wants her upcoming performance at the Cape Town Jazz Festival to be a celebration of life.

"I don't want this to be a sad performance - I want this to be a celebration of life, so bring your energy and lets celebrate!"

Lira, Singer

Book your spot to see Lira live at Ticketmaster.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the conversation