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Theirs is a love story that seemed idyllic as they shared a passion for music, for business – and for each other.
But local singing and performing sensation Lerato Molapo, affectionately known as Lira, and her husband and manager, Robin Kohl, shocked fans this weekend by announcing that they had separated.
While rumours and speculation swirl over what may have caused the rift in their nine-year marriage, insiders close to the couple say 40-year-old Lira has “never felt so happy”, suggesting that the break-up may already be yielding some positive vibes for at least one of them.
But, add the sources, although the couple separated in March, they have yet to decide whether their marriage is over.
If her social media presence is anything to go by, Lira, who has just ended a season as a coach on The Voice SA, seems to be enjoying life at the moment. She has posted happy snaps on Instagram in recent days, with one captioned: “When life feels good.”
Lira, who is currently in Europe and performed recently at Berlin’s famous Konzerthaus, announced the separation on Friday night.
She did so under duress, insiders say, after the media got wind of the goings-on.
“It is with great sadness that I announce my separation from my husband of many years, Mr Robin Kohl,” she posted on Instagram.
“Robin and I are currently living apart and are in the process of deciding the future of our marriage. We have had a long and fruitful marriage and business relationship, and have formed a strong bond that will remain, whatever the outcome of our time apart.
“In the meantime, Robin and I sincerely request that our privacy be respected during this difficult time. We thank you in advance for your understanding.”
For the most part, people reacted to the statement by offering messages of support on social media and wishing the star well.
Artist management agency About Entertainment, which deals with Lira’s bookings, declined to comment on the matter.
City Press also tried without success to contact the singer’s public relations team yesterday for comment on what a separation would mean for the couple’s business relationship.
Lira is said to have announced the separation to control how the news broke, rather than inadvertently fuelling the growing rumours about her marriage by remaining silent.
The couple married in September 2009 and formed a formidable business partnership, combining their separate but aligned interests – Lira’s label Otarel Music, which houses her business interests, and music and film producer Kohl’s company Jazzworx. Both companies are credited in her live and concert productions.
What their personal split means for their business relationship – particularly if it leads to divorce – is currently a matter of speculation, but an industry insider says it could potentially work out better for Lira than for Kohl.
A 2015 media report quoted her as saying at the time that her company, Otarel, generated a turnover of R7 million a year.
“They do not have a joint company, as far as I understand. She has been very savvy when it comes to her business. She understands her rights, and I think she would be far better able to make a clean break from the relationship than most people in the industry who have had relationships with their producers,” the insider said.
“Robin is a good producer, although he tended to place much of his focus on Lira and not so much on Jazzworx.
“In the past five years, it has become apparent that her attention has been directed more on her brand, on making it her income stream, with social media playing a large part. Demand for her to perform will not decrease over this, because she is good at what she does and is a true professional on stage. She’s got everything going for her.”
The Kohls’ separation is the latest high-profile celebrity couple split this year.
Last month, popular Afro-pop singer Nhlanhla Nciza announced on her Instagram account that she and her music producer husband, TK Nciza, were parting ways after 15 years of marriage.
