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First Artists for AIDS awareness concert
a truly spirit-lifting event
Compassion cannot be fit into a schedule; the willingness
to serve cannot be restricted to a certain time slot; a
passionate heart cannot be tamed. That is why, apart from
the annual World AIDS Day gala concert, this year is also
the year for introducing the South African Artists for AIDS
Awareness concerts. These concerts serve as additional opportunities
and platforms for artists and advocates of HIV and AIDS
to spread their very important message. The purpose of these
concerts is to create awareness around HIV and AIDS, regarding
the facts about the disease as well as people’s responsibility.
The first of these concerts took place on 1 June at Artscape
in Cape Town. And judging from the comments below of those
involved and those who attended, the concert was more than
a roaring success: It was a revelation and an inextinguishable
flame of hope and fighting power in a time many others regard
as dark and grim.
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Sunday, once again was an absolute treat. Prof Perry,
Kunjalo, Rouchelle, Jamie, Roxy and Toni were phenomenal!
What a spectacular show it was. Thank you for that 'call
to attention' which came my way – it was unexpected
and I was tongue-tied for a few minutes before I could respond.
Thank you Prof Perry – you’re a true star in
every aspect, I am honoured to know you and Prof Jan. Well
done and thank you once again- the entire show was fantastic
from beginning to end.
Denise Williams
Radio Tygerberg and the SU Tygerberg campus.
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Last night’s Artists for AIDS Awareness concert
was truly a beautiful event. Kunjalo is obviously very popular;
I really enjoyed the lively crowd. You rocked, Jimmie! And
Rouchelle is just always an inspiration. The big surprise
of the night for me was Jamie Marais with his own song –
such a simple song and performed with such sincerity. I
also thought the personal testimonials were touching –
even though I’ve known Roxy for a long time, her experience
just became alive again. So all in all, well done! I’m
already looking forward to the next show at the end of August.
Amelia Burger
Wordworx Communication & Training
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Just to say thanks to Prof Perry, Kunjalo, Rouchelle and
the team for the brilliant concert. It was marvellous and
one of its kind in the Western Cape! I'm glad I got the
opportunity to attend the concert. My special thanks to
Prof Du Toit. I was deeply touched. Keep up the good work
and see you again in August. To the Cape Townians who have
missed out – make sure you do not miss the next time.
God bless you
B. Mhlaluka
Student of the Africa Centre
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I also would like to thank you all for the show. It was
fantastic, the sound beautiful, the intro so balanced, the
voices angelic and the gifts truly from God, who was inhabited
in those praise/worship songs.
The subject at hand was informative and gave hope. The
clear message was that HIV/AIDS is a sickness like diabetes
after all – all the shame removed. My goodness, I
could not stop dancing.
All I can say is well done.
Piekelele Mihindou (Piks)
Africa Centre staff member
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Thank you very much for last night. My husband and I enjoyed
it immensely. Prof Perry rocks. We would like to know about
all his shows – and we would also like to tell our
friends about it so that they can book in time.
Anita Steyn
Secretary, Head: Purchasing & Provision Services, SU
Finances
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Congratulations to the Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management
on hosting a very successful Artists for AIDS Awareness
concert!
The event definitely hit its intended mark of raising awareness
on the pandemic in a very creative way – I particularly
enjoyed the real life narrative accounts that not only provided
information on HIV but made me want to listen with a sense
of curiosity and anticipation.
For me the event did even more than raise awareness: It
contained essential messages on the value of human life
and it encouraged measures of self-respect. These messages
are much needed in a world where young people do not always
value education, where they succumb to drug abuse, where
Africans act with brutality towards African brothers and
sisters and where we do not respect ourselves or others.
The event was also successful as a means of assembling
people to communicate these messages in a vibrant and entertaining
manner. Thank you for a very professional performance that
is very effective in terms of mobilising people to one venue
in order to raise awareness.
Challenges remain. The messages are universal but the preferred
forms of entertainment might differ from one person to the
next. Last night's concert communicated that your target
group was clear. Other target groups might require other
means of mobilisation. The important aspect for me is that
the Africa Centre is thinking and executing ideas and programmes
with success – it's not merely looking at other programmes
with a critical eye.
Charl E. Fredericks
EFSA Institute
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Tjo tjo tjo! That’s all I am going to say to those
who didn’t go to the concert. You missed out big time!
Thank you once more to Prof for a wonderful Sunday evening.
T. Lubambo
Student of the Africa Centre
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There will always be an element of discouragement –
we experience it all the time. But we have learnt the best
way in dealing with it is to stay focused on what God has
called us to do.
If I should testify of the discouragement we did experience
you'll wonder how we manage to survive. I'm talking about
discouragement of people trying to break up the group, people
trying to create division in the group, people trying to
abuse the group, members who comes and go, people who have
tried to get rid of the leadership of the group, people
who undermine the leadership, people who make empty promises,
people who wanted to use the group to build their own profile,
just to name some of them.
Today we can say we’ve been through the fire, through
the flood, but God preserved us for a season such as this,
and no weapon that's form against us will prosper. Therefore,
keep up the good work you’re doing, no matter what
element of discouragement you face. You just stay focused
on your calling.
I’ve often had the experience of feeling I want to
give up. But God always sends someone my way to encourage
me, to remind me that I’m not alone and that He will
provide whatever I need.
I salute you for the work you do, and the manner in which
you handle discouragement. And I wish you all of the best
with future projects.
What keeps me motivated to give my best whether others
like our style or not is that "if God is for us who
can be against us?"
Love Peace Joy
Pastor Manny Niekerk
Kunjalo
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Dear Prof du Toit and Prof Perry. Congratulations to the
staff of the AIDS centre for a brilliant show! It was most
enjoyable. Thank you for the wonderful message.
Jackie Voget
Student of the Africa Centre
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I just wanted to again thank you for having me as part
of this show. It has been one of the most memorable moments
of my life and something I will remember and cherish for
a very long time. Sometimes one wonders why you become part
of something and this most definitely gave me back a spark
of life that I had forgotten about and I thank you for that.
I feel extremely blessed.
Do not be discouraged by anybody - the feedback from friends
and family that attended was beyond what I expected and
there is a future for this project in South Africa. People
are desperate to hear that there is some hope out there.
God bless!
Antoinette Zimmerman
Concert performer
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I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for
the awesome and very blessed show on Sunday evening.
Edwina Abrahams
Tiervlei Cultural Arts Development Organisation, Ravensmead
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The concert was excellent. We definitely missed out on
the previous concerts. You can be assured that you have
our support for future concerts. Ten out of ten.
Tanya Van Stade
SU: Budget Rent a Car
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The show was magnificent. We had a wonderful time and
thought it was a first-class production. The music was excellent,
everything was so lively. Please keep me updated about the
next concert in August.
Regards
Howard Gordon
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I sincerely want to thank all of you that participated
in last night’s event. I think the audience said it
all with how much they appreciated the music, how the event
was put together and most of all getting a little more educated
about our work and making a difference in people’s
lives. I have a had a few calls of people saying thank you
and noting that the fight is far from over. It is just sad
that not many white people seem to be committed to assist
in the fight against HIV/Aids. It is really a problem to
get them committed and mobilised. The audience last night
again showed that to me.
A special word of thanks firstly to Prof Perry for carrying
the name of the centre high and for producing a very special
event of the highest professional standard. You really are
a very good ambassador to us and the centre.
To Renice, Bianca and Ernest thank you very much for your
commitment to the work of the centre and for showing it
in your deeds. Bianca, thank you very much for the food
for the people back stage and for having to work most of
the Sunday. To Ernest that had \to travel to Cape Town so
many times the last few days, thank you. Thank you to Renice
who sorted out the contracts and helped with the seating.
Piks, thank you for selling the CDs and DVDs. You are indeed
a team that one can depend on and you always give everything
to pull things of. When necessary you give up your private
lives and your “own things” to assist and build
the name of the centre.
It was a great event with a stunning opening. We can all
walk proud today.
Thank you very much!
Prof Jan du Toit
Director of the Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management
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This is a sincere note of thanks and appreciation to all
of you for your involvement and professional expertise in
helping to present the first Artists for AIDS Awareness
concert on Sunday June 1, 2008 at Artscape.
For all of you familiar with mounting such a project, you
are well aware of the need of all elements and people working
together and not against each other to pull off such an
event that, for me, was very successful. It could not have
been done without each and every one of you understanding
the purpose of this event.
I look forward to working with you again in the near future.
It is essential for me and the Africa Centre to have the
kinds of resources available that you all have including
your human spirit of kindness and one mind to do a "good
thing"!
In most projects there will always be an element of discouragement
that will try to pull a good thing down, but one must always
persevere through it, manage it and realise that the element
has to be discarded. As you all know one really learns only
through experience.
Despite that, I am very happy with the outcome on Sunday
and look forward to doing even a greater presentation(s)
in the future.
Thanks again to each and every one of you for efforts,
Prof Jimmie Earl Perry
Director of Education Theatre and Creative Arts
Africa Institute for HIV/AIDS Management
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