SA artists pray for peace over the National Elections!

South African artists are spearheading a special day of prayer and reflection ahead of the upcoming national elections on April 22^nd as part of their commitment to healing and building the nation.

This unparalleled event takes place on March 20^th, the day before Human Right’s Day. It will see 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, Neo Muyanga, Shado Twala, Busi Mhlongo, and Tina Schouw take the lead in turning the nation’s attention to the need for healing.

Known as ‘Forgive and Be Forgiven’, this very special gathering fittingly takes 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 gives 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 20^th will see the performance of a specially written song by Khumalo, Ringo, Tumi (of Tumi and the Volume), Zubz and Lebo Mashile. It 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.” The song will also act as a springboard for a declaration that will be read out during the proceedings.

The March 20^th event begins 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 start at 17:00 and will take 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 will be asked to make symbolic gestures of cleansing at the entrance to Sikhumbuto, and will then be lead in prayer by the representatives of the different faiths that make up South Africa. The releasing of white balloons, lighting of candles and drumming will also be part of the ceremony.

Entrance to the ‘Forgive and Be Forgiven’ ceremony at The Freedom Park is open to all South Africans and members of the public are welcome to join and thus show their commitment. Those who are unable to be there will be encouraged to join in on the day, echoing the unprecedented unity that marked South Africa in 1992.

The day’s event concludes with a picnic dinner and guests are requested to bring their own blanket and picnic basket. 

The ‘Forgive and Be Forgiven’ gathering ties in with the Human Rights Commission dialogue scheduled to take place at The Freedom Park on 18 – 19 March 2009.

“We urge each and every South African to heed this very special call and join us on March 20^th in whatever way they can,” says Khumalo.

‘Forgive and Be Forgiven’ is supported by SAMRO with other artists and organisations expected to join over the coming weeks.