Music
This empowering campaign, which seeks to draw attention to the critical issues surrounding stroke awareness, will be officially launched in collaboration with the Stroke Survivors Foundation on October 29.
In an act of kindness and solidarity with fellow South African stroke survivors, renowned South African songstress Lira is set to unveil her new health-inspired initiative, “Show your hand for stroke – the blue glove challenge.”
This empowering campaign, which seeks to draw attention to the critical issues surrounding stroke awareness, will be officially launched in collaboration with the Stroke Survivors Foundation on October 29.
The campaign coincides with World Stroke Day, an annual event dedicated to increasing awareness about stroke prevention and support for survivors.
The Blue Glove Challenge initiative seeks to encourage South Africans to wear blue on the day, while also serving as a social movement that encourages society and individuals to stand in solidarity with the stroke survivors and their families.
Having come back strong following her three-year battle with stroke, Lira says partnering with the Stroke Survivors Foundation was a no-brainer as she knows what it takes to rise above one's physical and psychological pain once again.
In 2022, the Ekurhuleni-born singer had her army of local and international fans worried after she suffered a stroke while touring Germany. It was truly a healthcare of epic proportions, as nothing could have warned the singer that she would suffer a stroke while on stage, doing what she does best.
Fast forward to 2025, Lira has become an inspiration to millions of stroke survivors across the globe, having fully recovered. Since then, she has returned to where she belongs, the music stage.
She indicated that being part of the campaign helps her to leverage her platform to advocate for a deeper understanding and support for stroke survivors globally. "I lost my ability to speak for a while, but I never lost my song," she reflects, highlighting her unwavering spirit amidst the adversity.
Just this past month, the talented singer wowed her music fans when she performed as part of the RMB Starlight Classics at the Johannesburg Country Club. On her resilience, Lira says that despite losing her ability to sing for over two years, she never lost her song as she fought a long battle to overcome this setback.
For the singer, "recovery is a journey and not a race. Through this campaign, I want every survivor to know, you can heal, you can rebuild, and your story matters," she shares.
George Scola, an activist, stroke survivor, and founder of the Stroke Survivors Foundation, says creating and generating awareness about this medical emergency is an important aspect of helping others find a quicker way of dealing with and overcoming stroke, one of the country’s deadliest medical conditions.
According to recent statistics, stroke is yet another silent killer that affects 10 South African adults every hour, with 225 fatalities every day.
"Stroke does not discriminate. It affects the young and old, men and women in every community. Recognising signs early saves lives. That is why we encourage the BEFAST method, which is: balance loss of balance, blurred eye or loss of vision, face dropping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, and time to call for help. Every second counts,” George says.
George reveals that part of the foundation’s biggest mission is to make sure no survivor walks alone. "Through community networks, digital tools, and national initiatives like the Blue Glove Challenge, we are turning awareness into action,” he says.
