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September 2008
An audience on their feet, clapping hands and loads of laughter made the Artscape Theatre overflow with energy at the Artists for AIDS Awareness concert on Sunday night 31 August. This was no ordinary concert, but one that came alive through a handful of artists who reach into people's hearts and compassionately brought the message that living with HIV or AIDS is no death sentence.
This second Artists for AIDS Awareness concert for 2008
was made possible by the Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management
at Stellenbosch University and Artscape’s audience
development programme. Held on the last day of women’s
month, the concert showcased a number of remarkable women
who all made an impact through their musical talent, through
telling the stories of people affected by HIV and AIDS and
through sharing from their own life.
These women included the talented vocalists Rouchelle Liedemann,
Lanaine Abrahams, Lana Rumble, Athena Williams and Rosebud
Mgada. Mgada’s sister, who lived with the virus, passed
away just days before the concert. This only ignited Mgada’s
passion about sharing information: “At the funeral,
we will say openly that AIDS caused her death and we will
give people the opportunity to learn more about the disease
and how to prevent it.”
The concert also featured two women who have been living
with the virus for many years and who shared their story.
True to her philosophy that HIV is only a “little”
virus that does not have the ability to claim your dreams,
your personality or your soul, corporate trainer and speaker
Toni Zimmerman charmed the audience with her passionate
personality and sense of humour. Roxy, inspirational speaker
and coach from Marosa Talk Show, also had a clear message.
HIV will not and has not claimed her energy and hope –
“I own my life,” was her powerful statement.
Anasuya Isaacs, founder of the Let Love Lead project that
offers the healing power of the arts to people living with
or impacted by HIV and AIDS, presented letters written by
different women affected by the disease under various circumstances.
She was joined on stage by Busisiwe Mashele, a high school
girl who was courageous enough to talk from the heart about
her life and her ambition, after having lost her parents
and having to look after her younger siblings.
The men were not far behind. Living up to his reputation,
Jimmie Earl Perry, Director of Educational Theatre and Creative
Arts at the Africa Centre’s community mobilisation
arm, the Africa Institute for HIV/AIDS Management, once
again delivered a magical performance. He was also the producer
and director of the concert, using his years of international
experience to create a first-class production.
Cabaret singer and pianist Godfrey Johnson offered his
musical brilliance and sharp wit. He is however very serious
when it comes to HIV and AIDS: “The only motivation
I need is seeing the faces of the children with no support
and a potential death sentence, as well as women who are
being treated like second class citizens.” Johnson
was accompanied by flutist Heather Roth.
Jamie Marais performed two of his own songs with his characteristic
easy-listening sound and inspirational lyrics. The final
puzzle pieces to the musical masterpiece were The Speak
Life Vocal Ensemble and the rhythm section of The Mike Campbell
Orchestra. The harmonious voices of the vocal ensemble were
proof of true talent. The orchestra featured top musicians
and delivered engaging performances that had the audience
spontaneously clapping along.
The main aim of the concert was to give people a better
understanding of HIV and its impact, breaking the silence
on the disease and eliminating stigma. “It amazes
me daily how AIDS is still considered a black or gay disease,
or punishment from God, whereas it is simply a virus that
can be managed,” Perry says. “Education is still
needed and if having a concert will make people understand
that it exists, that is what I will do.”
The positive energy that filled the theatre on Sunday is
proof of the overwhelming success of the concert. Starting
with artists who were willing to give their time and talent
and raise their voices for a cause, it rippled outwards
to a hall of people who joined in the universal battle against
HIV and AIDS, increasing the noise not only at the show,
but also among their families and communities. As Mgada
said: “Silence killed my sister. No-one should die
of silence.”
Notes to the editor
• About the Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management
The Africa Centre believes academic institutions must play
a creative and active role in social, political and economic
transformation. They structure this role on three pillars:
academic programmes, research and community mobilisation.
They are a UNAIDS collaborating centre on capacity building,
community mobilisation and research dissemination.
• About UNAIDS
UNAIDS is globally the main advocate for coordinated action
on HIV and AIDS. Their mission is to lead, strengthen and
support an expanded response to the pandemic. This includes
preventing transmission of HIV, providing care and support
to people living with the virus, reducing the vulnerability
of people to HIV, and alleviating the impact of the pandemic.
On behalf of: Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS
Management at Stellenbosch University
Contacts:
• Prof Jan du Toit, Director of the Africa Centre
for HIV/AIDS Management: 021 808 3004,
083 626 3082, jbdt@sun.ac.za
• Prof Jimmie Earl Perry, Director of Educational
Theatre and Creative Arts of the Africa Institute for HIV/AIDS
Management: 021 808 3707,
082 493 6052, jep@sun.ac.za
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