Also known as Mara Louw Thomson, Mara started singing at the age of 10 with the now famously known choir, Imilonji Kantu.

In 1973 she joined Caiphus Semenya's musical, Meropa and toured Japan, Hong Kong, The Philippines, South Africa and London and sang for the Queen at a Royal Command Performance in 1975. On her return to South Africa, Mara's solo career took her to Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland and Namibia.

Mara performed in the Mandela Concert at London's Wembley Stadium, she sang at the Newsmaker of the Year Awards for Nelson Mandela, FW de Klerk and in honour of the late Chris Hani.

Mara appeared with Nelson Mandela during his visit to Glasgow in 1993 and sang at George Square and The Royal Concert Hall.

In 1994 she sang at the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela and for the Freedom Day Celebrations at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Mara has toured Scotland, England, Wales, Switzerland, France, Egypt and Denmark, where she performed for the Queen in 1995 and the Prime Minister in 1998.

In 2001 Mara produced the successful musical concert Surf, which featured top South African artists including Hugh Masekela. Mara translated the music of The Lion King into Zulu for the Walt Disney Corporation and performed the theme song Circle of Life in Zulu.

She currently plays a lead role on the SABC 2 television drama Muvhango and has acted in numerous musicals, stage plays and feature films.

Mara is a popular choice for classy corporate events and special dinner functions with a band or backing tracks. Her repertoire includes Lady is a Tramp, Wimawe, the Click song, Patta Patta, New York, New York, Wind Beneath my Wings, When a Child is Born and other well-known favourites.

Mara was named Best Female Vocalist by Radio Sotho and Zulu in 1984. She was nominated for an Artes Award for her album Mara and won an Artes Award for Best Performance with the National Symphony Orchestra in the Jo'burg Pops Concerts.