Jimmie Earl Perry

Jimmie is the Africa Centre’s very own international performing artist. He was born in Gordon, Alabama, in the United States and spent his childhood and education years in Trenton New Jersey. Jimmie attended the Westminster Choir College in Princeton, where he earned a Bachelor of Music Education (BME) degree.

Jimmie’s career has been quite diverse and definitely exciting. After completing his degree he taught elementary and junior high students in Trenton from 1972 to 1974. Jimmie then went to New York City to attend various acting schools and theatre workshops over the course of two years. His show business career took off when he landed his first international tour in a musical. After the tour, he returned to the US. He held temporary positions in various sectors, including banks, law firms, ad agencies, Wall Street and retail clothing. Jimmie then joined Cunard Cruise Lines for four years, sailing around the world and performing on ships as the featured performer. After returning from his global travels, Jimmie’s Broadway career took off in full flight. He starred in shows such as Cats, Miss Saigon, Starlight Express and Jesus Christ Superstar and went on various gospel and band tours throughout Europe in between.

Jimmie left America and Europe for Stellenbosch in 2004 and has ever since been involved at the Africa Centre. As the Director of Educational Theatre and Creative Arts, he is responsible for managing the educational theatre performances, training and producing HIV and AIDS awareness concerts and interventions. 

Jimmie’s passion is to assist and direct people to believe in themselves enough to overcome their daily obstacles. According to Jimmie, ignorance leads to most HIV and AIDS infections. He therefore feels strongly about imparting wisdom and knowledge to people to know their status, to maintain a healthy and productive outlook and refrain from becoming infected, as well as to teach people how to treat others infected or affected. That is the exact reason why Jimmie believes the key elements in successfully combating HIV and AIDS in South Africa is education and prevention. By giving something of his wealth of experience back to others, Jimmie is a true inspiration.

Jimmie lives by the motto: Believe and it shall be given.

Favourites:

Food: Oysters
Movie: The Women
Music Artist: Yolanda Adams, Daryl Coley
South African celebrity: Johnny Clegg