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Marah Louw was born in Soweto and started singing at the age of 10yrs with the Wilba Music Group Choir under the baton of Mr Wilby Baqwa . In 1970 she joined a traditional musical called "MEROPA" which was conceived at Dorkay House and toured Japan, Hong Kong, The Philippines, South Africa and London where Marah performed for the Queen at a Royal Command Performance on October 15, 1975.
In 1976, Marah was featured in the DOBIE GRAY and MAIN INGREDIENT Show . and in 1977 she toured with JOHNNY MATHIS and his big band, Jimmy Smith, Stanley Turrentine and Jimmy Cliff.

Major plays and musicals in which Marah featured are AFRICAN ODYSSEY by Victor Ntoni at the Market Theatre " THE CRUCIBLE (Tituba) , SHOWBOAT (Queenie) BARNUM (Joyce Hearth - the oldest woman in the world)BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, A' MY NAME IS ALICE, BLUES IN THE NIGHT, BABY COME DUZE, EKHAYA - MUSEUM OVER SOWETO and NKOSI THE HEALING SONG which celebrated the 95th anniversary of NKOSI SIKELELI ' AFRIKA - and its writer Enoch Sontonga.

In 1984 Marah was named best female vocalist by Radio Sotho and Zulu, she was also nominated for an Artes Award for her album 'Marah ' other awards were in 1992 when she performed with the National Symphony Orchestra in the JO'BURG POPS Concerts for which she won an Artes Award for best performance.

In 1987 Marah was Elected President of the Musicians Union Of South Africa with Johny Clegg as Vice President.
She is also served as Treasurer for PAWE ( Performing Arts Workers Equity) under the umbrella of COSATU .Its now called CWUSA ( Creative Workers Union of South Africa )
During 1991 and 1992 she sang with the Durban Philharmonic Orchestra and the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra.
She was also featured in the first Miss World Pageant at Sun City.

In 1990 she performed at the MANDELA CONCERT in London at Wembley Stadium.
In 1991 she sang for Nelson Mandela and F.W. De Klerk at the Newsmaker of the year where they were joint recipients, she was again asked in 1994 to perform at the Newsmaker of the year in honour of the late Chris Hani. In 1993 Marah appeared with Nelson Mandela during his visit to Glasgow where she sang at George Square and the Royal Concert Hall and they received Freedom Of Britain.

1n 1994 she was invited by the Scotish Anti - Apartheid Movement in the UK to do a month long tour of Scotland, England and Wales. Marah performed at the Inauguration of President Mandela and the Freedom Day Celebrations at the Union Buildings.she also performed at the Inauguration of Thabo Mbeki.
In 1995 Marah performed in Paris at La Grande Hall De La Villette with Hugh Masekela for a month later that year she was invited by the Egyptian Government to perform at the Cairo International Song Festival as a Guest Artiste .In 1996 she performed for the Queen of Denmark and in 1998, the Prime Minister of Denmark. In November 1998 she performed at the arts festival, in Switzerland.

Marah played a Lead role in ' MUVHANGO ' 1, 2 , 3, 4, 5,6,7 ,8. a VENDA/SOTHO series on SABC 2. She also featured in a movie called 'TAXI TO SOWETO ' which was a local box office hit. Marah also sang the song " CIRCLE OF LIFE " in the Zulu Version of the Movie THE LION KING.

In 2000 she was Executive Producer for " THE SOPHIATOWN EXPERIENCE PRODUCTION " at the Sandton Convention Centre , the show was sold out for five days running.
In 2001 she was Executive Producer for a musical concert "Surf ' Miriam Makeba Tribute To Dolly Rathebe" at the Nelson Mandela Theatre at the Civic, which featured top artiste including Hugh Masekela ,The show was a great success. Marah is the founder of the Miriam Makeba / Dolly Rathebe - Charitable Trust. Marah owns a company called SECHABA EVENTS PRODUCTIONS cc

She also played one of the leading roles Miss SHERMAN -in the musical FAME, at the State Theatre in 2003 and in Cape Town Convention Centre fromDec 2003 until February ,2004.
In 2007 to 2008 she played one of the leading roles as Ms. Motormouth Maybelle in the Musical HAIRSPRAY at the Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City produced by Richard Loring

On the 19th, to 27th of April 2004 - Marah performed in Scotland as part of S.A. 10thyear Democracy Celebrations which was organised by STUC( Scotish Trade Union of which Marah is an Honourary member and ACSA which used to be known as The Anti Apartheid Organisation
Marah has one Daughter Charlotte Moratuwa (Ratu) Louw
Marah has been a Judge for Mnet Pop Idols Seasons - 2,3,4, 5 and lastly 6 .
Marah had her own Talk Show - which was screened 2007 - called -
" Marah & FRIENDS - on SABC - TV 2", that was an exciting new challenge for her.
In 2008 Marah was commissioned to Produce her own TV Series .

Marah is a respected Senior Member of the Methodist Church Women Manyano,
She has her own 26 Members Choir called "Hymns of Africa " which has released a CD Internationaly . The CD can be purchased through the Internet .

Marah is the Ambassador for Child Welfare South Africa . She also has a Rose named after her by Ludwig Roses " The Marah Louw Rose " which is presently on sale in most Garden Nursery around South Africa, it's a beautiful Peach and Apricot Hybrid Tea Rose.

Marah received Two Life Time Achievements Awards on the 29th August 2010 from the DAC ( Department Of Arts and Culture and another award on the same day from the South African Concert Promoters Organisation .

In 2011 Marah Louw celebrates 40 years in the entertainment industry with the release of her Gospel album, Marah Worships the African Way, available now instore or directly from Brettian Productions on 011 622 3356