SINGING SENSATIONS SUPPORT OUR SOCIETY
The Kwanele | Enuf-is-Enuf campaign against sexual abuse and sexual violence is set to welcome international YouTube sensation Terra Naomi to South Africa for a charity concert in partnership with the University of Johannesburg on 25 August. Naomi’s performance will be supported by our own young star, Bongeziwe Mabandla, an Afro-folk singer-songwriter who hails for the Eastern Cape and has two South African Music Awards nominations under his belt for his debut album, “Umlilo”. Naomi, known as one of the greatest musical success stories in the history of YouTube for her Internet hit “Say It’s Possible” and winner of the first YouTube Award for Best Music Video, completed two headline tours of Europe and the UK last year. Her songs can also be heard in several movies and TV shows, such as “Because I Said So” (starring Diane Keaton) and “Private Practice” (from the creator of “Grey’s Anatomy”). Mabandla’s music is a fusion of Xhosa folk rhythms and vocal techniques with contemporary “city suss”. He honours his Transkei roots with the African guard bow instrument (“uhadi”) in his songs, as well as contemporary folk singers who have inspired him, including Tracy Chapman, Busi Mhlongo and Jabu Khanyile. Both artists wholeheartedly support Andy Kawa, founder of Kwanele | Enuf-is-Enuf, in her cause. After a gruesome gang-rape experience in 2010, Andy became one of numerous South African statistics. By speaking about it, she was able to touch the hearts of many victims who were suffering silently from an illness she terms “the aftermath” – the festering of the wounds of rape and abuse within the body, soul and mind. Andy has made it her life’s mission to rally each and every person, as well as stakeholders, to be agents of change within our communities. Kwanele | Enuf-is-Enuf projects are aligned with the Stop Rape campaign of Lead SA. To book tickets for the concert, please go to the Kwanele! Enuf is Enuf! website, www.kwanele-enuf.co.za. You can also follow the movement on Facebook and Twitter.