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Hello. I’m Elizabeth Lickiss.
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And I’m Christy VanArragon. Welcome to Spotlight. This programme uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
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Hundreds of people wait in the hot South African sun. They sing as they wait. Every minute is important. The minutes the singers spend preparing now could make all the difference. These people are auditioning. They are waiting to sing for a group of experts. If the experts like their singing voice they may offer them a job. The job will be to sing with the Soweto Gospel Choir.
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The Soweto Gospel Choir has been travelling the world for the last three years. They perform gospel music in a traditional African way. Their songs tell people about God’s love. The choir members sing together beautifully. They use many traditional African instruments. The choir demonstrates the rich culture and musical gifts of the African people. Many people across the world have enjoyed their shows. Sarah from England wrote about her experience,
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‘I sat in a darkened theatre. Then out of the darkness came this beautiful music. The lights started to shine. They filled the place where the choir stood. The twenty-five [25] choir members were dressed in traditional African clothes. The colours were wonderful. Then the music started to get faster. The choir danced and sang. They described the words of the music through their movements. They brought the words to life. It was clear that they believed in what they were singing. It was a very powerful show’.
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The choir director is Lucas Deon Bok. Lucas started playing Gospel music at the age of seven, in his local church. Many members of the choir started to learn music in this way. All members of the choir have a Christian faith. Lucas says that his faith is important to him and the music he sings. He says,
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‘When I first started singing Gospel music I enjoyed the sound. I enjoyed the company of other musicans. It was fun. But when I became a friend and follower of Jesus Christ it changed my way of singing. Now when I say God loves me I know it is true. When I sing that God has helped me through difficult times - I mean it. Singing words that I believe in my heart gives me the greatest joy. I think this is why the music of the choir speaks to so many people ’.
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The choir members all have a Christian faith in common. But they do not all come from the same sorts of homes. Some of them have had a good education. They have have come from wealthy families. Some choir members come from poor homes. Lucas says,
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‘One girl in our choir comes from a temporary settlement back home. Her family does not have much money. Her future did not look good. But now she has the choir. She is able to travel. And she is able to help her family back in South Africa. Now everyone in her family leads a better life. The choir has been a gift to her’.
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Lucas and the other choir members feel lucky to have a chance to sing all over the world. But they have never forgotten South Africa. The travelling means that the choir spend very little time at home. But when they do go home they sing in local theatres and public buildings. They had the honour to perform for former South African President, Nelson Mandela. The choir support Mr Mandela’s Aids Foundation - 46664. It is their way of giving something back to their Soweto community.
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HIV/AIDS is a major problem in South Africa. HIV/AIDS has affected whole villages. Many parents have died. Their children have no one to care for them. In some parts of South Africa thirty-six percent [36%] of the population is infected. It is a terrible situation. Everyone in South Africa knows someone who has been affected by the virus.
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Lucas believes that the choir is in a very special position to help. The people of South Africa respect the choir. It is famous. They come to hear them sing. But at every show the choir also helps to educate people. They talk about HIV/AIDS. They tell people how to avoid catching the HIV virus. They explain the facts. They tell people the best way of avoiding catching HIV. It is for two uninfected people to remain faithful to each other. The church teaches that sex should only happen in marriage. If that happens then there is no risk of ever catching HIV through sex. They also explain that having unprotected sex can cause one person to pass the virus on to another. Using a rubber protective device, a condom, during sex greatly reduces that risk.
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Many communities reject people infected with the HIV virus. They are left to suffer alone. But the choir wants to encourage people to support those who have HIV/AIDS. In this way they hope to help in the battle against the disease. They hope to make life better for people with HIV/AIDS.
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Nkosi’s Haven is an aid group that helps children with HIV/AIDS. It is a group that is especially important to the choir. Gail Johnson set up the group in memory of her son Nkosi. Nkosi was a young boy who was infected with the HIV virus. As a young child Nkosi gave a speech to the International AIDS Conference. His words moved many people to tears. At the AIDS conference he told the world:
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‘Care for us and accept us. You cannot get AIDS from kissing and touching. We are all human beings. We are all the same.’
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Nkosi died in the summer of the year two thousand and one. But his example showed many people that they do not have to be afraid of children with HIV/AIDS. Nkosi stopped many people from rejecting such children. The Soweto Gospel Choir members are happy to help Nkosi’s Haven. They give some of the money they earn to buy medicines for the children.. They help to pay for children’s education. They support the families that care for those who are sick. The choir have even started their own aid group to help in the battle against HIV/AIDS. It is called Vukani. Many choir members belong to the Zulu tribe. Vukani is a Zulu word. It means wake up, arise. Lucas wants the people of the world to see what is happening in South Africa. He hopes that their work will cause the international community to wake up, to vukani only then can real change come.
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