GABIVILLE CHATS TO EVITA BEZUIDENHOUT

1.      

What motivated you to produce this song? 

EVITA: My grandchildren told me about Bob Geldorf and how he had a song fashioned to inform people about Ebola. I suuddenly realized that we could also use music to unite us, especially now when we are so divided through suspicions and silence. Then I remembered how impressed I was with Karen Zoid when she invited me on her KYKNET show ZOID-AFRIKA. We spoke – not for that long – and immediately knew what to do. I wrote some words, she encased them with song.

When was the song recorded? 

EVITA: I filmed my sections in Darling while Karen did the singing part in Cape Town.

How long did production take?

EVITA: She and Carien Loubser the producer worked so hard – and the wonderful thing is, no public money, state funds, sponsorships or donations were used. We all used our own money to pay for what we  did and all the artists, the studio, the cameras, the edit – all were given free.

            Who wrote the song lyrics?

EVITA:   I did, to give it all structure and meaning and then Karen used what worked for the song.

HOLLYWOOD actress Charlize Theron features in the song PICTURE:SUPPLIED

Choice of artists in the song? 

EVITA: Again I depended on Karen Zoid to lead there. She did. Zolani Mahola, Hemelbesem and the Bergvliet School Choir created a roar of hope and excitement. I danced a bit and played Nkosi on the piano with two fingers.

4 

Will it be released on CD? 

EVITA: We decided to launch it free-to-ear on YouTube. It is the voice of our people and with many of the selfies included, has a wonderful sense of anthem. And specially on the eve of the fragile SONA event in Parliament, let them there know that out here are more than them, all wanting it to work for everyone.

Who is the song addressed to? 

EVITA: It is addressed to everyone, mainly in English and sadly there was not enough time to use the other 10 languages. Maybe our next anthem – side B – will be multilingual. Responses are happening as we speak: great support and enjoyment. Inspirational messages – even a few rude ones telling me to ‘go back to Europe with Jan van Riebeeck!’ – but then I have learnt to enjoy nonsense like that. It is after all, freedom of expression.

The song addresses most of the issues faced by South Africans including Eskom, Schools, Corruption. Why these of all the issues in SA?

      EVITA: hey are the headlines of concern, but there have been hundreds of oyther issues, some         very small and yet very important. Sex education for 12 year olds! Free condoms for 14 year old       boys! Respect for street people. No cartoons of the president! (truly!)