Lira: A Resilient Journey Through Silence and Strength

In a space designed to reshape mindsets and tap into our resilience, the Mind Matters Summit at Thrive by WHX in Cape Town welcomed an awe-inspiring lineup of speakers. One speaker is someone who’s captured voices for decades and will continue to do so, despite medical setbacks. Lira is a South African music sensation and survivor of a life-altering stroke that took her voice. But in a deeply moving and inspiring conversation, Lira shared how in that silence, she discovered something far more profound.

Lira: The Voice Within

Globally, one in four people over 25 will experience a stroke in their lifetime, with the condition being the leading cause of death and disability worldwide.

Surviving a stroke is just one aspect of recovery. You will also need to navigate the effect that the incident has on your body, something that Lira knows all too well, especially the emotional intensity that comes with the experience.

“Once I realised I couldn’t talk, I cried the whole day about it. I cried for so many reasons,” she reveals candidly, “I spent the whole day crying and going through my mind.”

For someone who’s been singing since she released her debut album over 20 years ago in 2003, the silence for Lira was more than just physical, but also existential. After all, she didn’t just use her voice to make a living, but also to engage with the world and those around her.

Yet, through her tears, Lira soon came to a realization that was less resignation and more transformation.

“The next day I was all cried out and realised that I’m still alive, and my body is fully functional,” she reveals, adding that this realization began her journey to acceptance,

“Three days after I had the stroke, I accepted my fate… I eventually decided that it’s not bad…I am multitalented, and I can find ways to live outside of music.”

The Joy Of Silence

Alone in her thoughts and on her acceptance trajectory, Lira made a critical choice that had her see the end of her singing career not as the end of her identity,

“I decided that the Lira that I was before is gone. I accepted that,” she says, “I didn’t think I’d go back to singing ever, but I was okay with that.”

This train of thought wasn’t about giving up, but rather letting go, and it wasn’t long before this ‘radical acceptance’ became a pillar of the 46-year-old’s recovery.

Another just as vital pillar was her mental resilience, something the singer admits she didn’t believe she had,

“I had no idea what my mind was capable of until the stroke.”

While she has written songs about listening to your soul and connecting with a divine power, Lira admits that she never had the chance to do as she sang until she had the stroke. She was forced to be still and truly listen to herself.

“It gave me proof that mental resilience does work. And when I accepted my situation, things changed. Things have changed so dramatically. I found joy in the silence.”

Reflect and Grow

Granted, it may sound bizarre for a musician to admit that they found peace in losing their voice, especially one caused by a stroke. Yet, Lira reveals that that experience welcomed a silence that allowed her to reflect, and ultimately to grow,

“I started listening to my body, and my body was speaking to me. I connected with my inner voice,” she reveals, “I didn’t know what I would do with this new awareness, but I was learning to enjoy the silence and what it was offering me.”

She adds that while she can’t plan for the future, she doesn’t bother to. Instead, she chose to stay present and essentially ‘become more of an observer in her own life’ and in that stillness, she received blessings,

“I felt safe. I had a partner who loved me, my parents, friends, and even the support of an entire country. I was deeply loved,” she beams, “And what moved me most was that I didn’t have to perform or prove anything-I was loved just as I was.”

Finding Your Purpose

In an industry and world where our self-worth is often linked to our output, Lira’s journey proves that our value extends beyond our public persona and that life is truly what we make of it.

“I didn’t suffer a stroke. I experienced one, yes – but there was no suffering in my recovery. There was peace. There was joy. And there was meaning.”

She adds that this meaning came from the simple, powerful fact that she was alive and doing the work, despite how difficult it seemed at times,

“I was learning to speak…I was learning to write… I was learning to read. Furthermore, I stayed focused on that process, trusting that it would lead me somewhere meaningful.”

This new chapter isn’t about recreating the past. It was about reimagining the future. Even if she never sang again, she understood that she could still contribute to herself, her community, and the world.

A Thriving Voice

Now, despite concerns about her singing voice, Lira proved that she still has it at Africa’s premier healthcare event, the World Health Expo (WHX) Cape Town at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

Right in the centre was Thrive by WHX, a premier health and wellness experience. Now, while it had a slew of wellness activations and incredible conferences, it’s important to note that Thrive by WHX was more than just a health and wellness expo. In fact, with an amazing one-night only performance on the second day of the conference, Lira celebrated not only wellness but also community by reminding us all how music can unite, energize, and inspire.

For Lira, her message goes beyond surviving a stroke and losing her voice. Rather, it’s about our perspective and mindset, and her unbelievable journey is a testament to the importance of resilience and embracing the inner strength we typically overlook, and in doing so, finding our purpose.

“My purpose – I can safely say – is to share my story. Whether through writing, singing, or talking. I want to share my story so that it can impact others, and that’s how I make my impact in the world.”  

Want to know more?

Alongside Lira, at the Mind Matters Summit, Dr. Andreea Vanacker, who survived a brain tumor, gave a talk that was deeply personal, scientifically grounded, and a powerful reflection on what it means to live with joy, purpose, and resilience.

MAIN IMAGE CREDIT: miss_lira/INSTAGRAM