Mae Sithole has graced stages from the Grahamstown National Arts Festival, Dakar - Senegal, HIFA (Zimbabwe) to Nice - France, and her home country Zimbabwe. In Cape Town, Mae has performed at the Alma Cafe, the Barleycorn Music Club, the Armchair Theatre, the Blah Blah Bar and the Alexander Bar. Her new track "Jailor", produced by Andrew Baird (Orangotan Music) is funky and calls for multiple interpretations. Take your pick! 

Photo Credits: Junaid Singh, Eben Photography (photo credits are in the photograph titles)

Mae Sithole has graced stages from the Grahamstown National Arts Festival, Dakar - Senegal, HIFA (Zimbabwe) to Nice - France, and her home country Zimbabwe. In Cape Town, Mae has performed at the Alma Cafe, the Barleycorn Music Club, the Armchair Theatre, the Blah Blah Bar and the Alexander Bar. Her new track \"Jailor\", produced by Andrew Baird (Orangotan Music) is funky and calls for multiple interpretations. Take your pick! 

Photo Credits: Junaid Singh, Eben Photography (photo credits are in the photograph titles)

Creative Team: Performed by Daniel Kyobe (Electric & Acoustic Guitars), Khwezi Ziqubu (Bass Guitar), Sam Sithole (Vocals), Takie Tshikovhi (Keys, Band Director)

Mae was born in Zimbabwe, but grew up in various countries and was exposed to different cultures. Her family is musical, with a father who is a singer and acoustic guitarist. Her brother Jonah Sithole (Jnr) is the 2006 winner of A-Academy, a televised singing competition in Zimbabwe and best African Idols audition holder in 2008 and Samantha (Madison) Sithole who joins her on stage as a vocalist and featuring artist. Whilst in the United States, she performed Frank Sinatra’s New York New York with a tap dance in Queens. Her family later moved back home to Zimbabwe, where she joined the Children’s Performing Arts Workshop, (CHIPAWO) an initiative started by Robert McClaren to promote African Arts in Zimbabwe amongst youth and children. Her first vocal teacher was the legendary Chiwoniso Maraire.

Mae Sithole played the lead in the ZBC tv series, Chipo and the Bird, before her family moved to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She landed the role of Demekech (Dorothy) in an adaptation of the Wizard of Oz, entitled, The Wizard of Oz Comes to Ethiopia. She performed in a number of musicals including Fiddler on the Roof, and A Christmas Carol.

Prior to recording her first album, First Glance, she worked with award-wining music producer, Andrew Baird. This included projects with Henry Olonga, Rebekah Matheny (Kenya), Audrey Mbuyazi (South Africa), and Bonnie Deuschle (Zimbabwe). Her sultry vocals have featured on a number of jingles for Econet Zimbabwe, and the Kenya Revenue Authority.

Her international multicultural background is the magic that inspires her song writing and performances. Her live performances are always dynamic, colourful and she incorporates the Mbira (thumb piano) in her music.

Audience Responses

Great show. Ma is very engaging and the music was funky

hard not to fall in love with Mae.. I think while she's found her self, her voice.. she still needs to find her authentic music.. and come home to it.. leon

intimate, beautiful, heart warming show. Thank you !

Great show. Ma is very engaging and the music was funky

Great performance by the very versatile Mae Sithole and her talented band. Soul,pop,funk,pop and jazz with an african touch...Great venue. if you have not been at the Alexander bar,check it out!

Wonderful show! Very gifted singer and band. Please host her again