Call on South Africans join in prayer
South African artists spearheaded a special day of prayer and reflection ahead of the upcoming national elections on April 22nd as part of their commitment to healing and building the nation.
Artists call on South Africans to join them in prayer and reflection ahead of National Election
This unparalleled event took place on March 20th, the day before Human Right’s Day. It saw the likes of Sibongile Khumalo, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Ringo Madlingozi, Lebo Mashile, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Tumi (of Tumi and the Volume), Simphiwe Dana, Gloria Bosman, Abigail Kubheka, Jabu Hlongwane, Zubz, Percy Ingle, Gcina Mhlophe, Sylvia Mdunyelwa, Busi Mhlongo, Tina Schouw, Frank Paco and Muriel Marco taking the lead in turning the nation’s attention to the need for healing.
Known as ‘Forgive and Be Forgiven’, this very special gathering fittingly took place at The Freedom Park, a 52-hectare site on Salvokop in Pretoria which was opened in late 2007 as a national and international icon of humanity and freedom.
The gathering gave ordinary South Africans the chance to join with their brothers and sisters across different racial, religious, political, social and economic boundaries and come together with one aim in mind: to act as a catalyst for people across the nation to forgive and be forgiven.
“The day offers us an opportunity to pray for release from the pain and hurt of the past. It’s about reclaiming our lost innocence and the greatness in our selves as a nation,” says Khumalo.
Adds Ashton Bodrick, Head of Marketing and Advocacy at The Freedom Park Trust, “We are partnering with the vision that was brought to us by Sibongile and her fellow artists because The Freedom Park is a place of healing for all South Africans.”
All artists involved in the ‘Forgive and Be Forgiven’ event are driven by the sense that putting the spotlight on spirituality can play a significant role in healing and taking South Africa into the light. In this, the initiative is reminiscent of the day in September 1992 when South Africans from all walks of life and all corners of the country stopped what they were doing at precisely noon, to take hands and pray for the future of the country.
“Seventeen years on, the challenges of that future are more than obvious to all of us and we believe we have a duty to stand up and do what we can to get all South Africans thinking again, as they did back in 1992, about what it means to be committed to a bright and beautiful future for this country,” Khumalo says.
The programme of events for March 20th saw the performance of a specially written song by Khumalo, Ringo, Tumi (of Tumi and the Volume), Zubz and Lebo Mashile. This song will serve as a leitmotif for an ongoing campaign to keep South Africa “forgiving and being forgiven”.
Says Ringo, “The song is very much intended to be a healing anthem for the country that can be used for generations to come.” To listen to the song
click here
The March 20th event began with representatives from various faiths performing rituals and sessions according to their beliefs in the Isivivane area of The Freedom Park. It has been chosen for the inter-faith ceremonies because of its standing as a resting place for the spirits of those who died in the struggles for humanity and freedom.
The main session of the day’s proceedings started at 17:00 and took place at Sikhumbuto – a place of remembrance for those who have died and also a place for invoking their assistance in current and future affairs. All those gathered were asked to make symbolic gestures of cleansing at the entrance to Sikhumbuto, and were then be led in prayer by the representatives of the different faiths that make up South Africa. The releasing of white balloons, lighting of candles and drumming also took part of the ceremony.
‘Forgive and Be Forgiven’ is supported by SAMRO with other artists and organisations expected to join over the coming weeks.
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