Award winning singer Lira finally returns to singing and live performances after suffering a stroke in 2022.
Award winning singer Lira finally returns to singing and live performances after suffering a stroke in 2022.
After a stroke in 2022, award-winning singer Lira is finally making a comeback.The Feel Good hitmaker (44) will be holding her first-ever concert in May since she was diagnosed with aphasia, which affected her speech. She’ll be performing at Constitution Hill in Braamfontein on May 25. Lira opened up about suffering the stroke and said it was a blessing for her.
“People were initially interested in my recovery journey and, as time went by, started asking when I would perform again. I’ve been practising to perform as part of my recovery and have come to accept that the old Lira is gone. I wondered who the new Lira would be and have been getting to know her and feel ready to share her with the public,” she said.
“Many people survive from having a stroke, but the damage to their brain leaves them permanently scarred and unable to move their bodies. I feel extremely lucky 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 will get better with time, and I’m so grateful for that,” she said.
This is where we are now !! It’s surreal ! The Return of Lira and The BASELINE FEST and CELEBRATING AFRICA DAY AT CONSTITUTION HILL on 25 May 2024. It will my first performance with a live band after having a stroke in March 2022. This is milestone for me and I’m thrilled ! pic.twitter.com/d2mklHphkw
— First African Barbie Role Model🌺 (@Miss_LIRA) March 13, 2024
“Learning to speak and sing in Sotho and Zulu has been extremely difficult, without any vernacular speech therapy. And I only spoke the languages from memory with random people such as cashiers and petrol attendants. They have really helped me. I am constantly setting little goals for myself to master the languages. I’m working on it,” she said.
“I’m so excited and looking forward to being on stage again to perform at Bassline Fest Africa Day Celebration on Saturday 25 May 2024. What makes this performance extra special is that not only are we, in South Africa, celebrating 30 years of democracy, but we are also celebrating the new Lira as well as the Bassline’s 30th Anniversary.I have so much to be grateful for and look forward to seeing you at Constitution Hill Square on Africa Day,” she said.
On March 8, International Women’s Day, Lira received an Award of Merit from Manesh Kumar, the General Consulate of India.”The event was to commemorate women who have shown outstanding achievements in their specific fields. It was the first award I received since having a stroke. Then I gave a speech,” she posted on Instagram.
South Africans were worried about her and prayed for her recovery after she had the stroke. Through her social media accounts, she has been keeping people informed about her development.
MUSIC:
Lira returns to LIVE performances
Bassline Fest will be celebrating Africa Day with the Queen of Afro soul Lira on the 25th of May at Constitution Hill.
This will be her first show, with a band, after two years recovering from a stroke.
The festival will start at… pic.twitter.com/q8jZyFPDZs
— Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) March 12, 2024
