Inspiring HOPE through SONG visits Cape Town for HOPEtober
As South Africa slowly eases out of the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting difficult challenges on people from all walks of life, the idea of dedicating October 2020 as a month of hope for all South Africans led to the creation of “HOPEtober”, an initiative from Adcock Ingram OTC Sponsors of Brave to encourage people to work towards restoring hope through acts of kindness to fellow citizens. The simplest of gestures such as a wave or a greeting could change someone’s day.
As part of its HOPEtober campaign, Adcock Ingram OTC Sponsors of Brave is taking hope through the joy of song to healthcare workers and professionals in three major cities for the purpose of uplifting them, showing appreciation and care while also extending the message of hope to patients, staff and visitors to the respective hospitals.
After phenomenal heartwarming responses in Johannesburg and Pretoria this week, HOPEtober extends to Cape Town hospitals on Tuesday, 29 September 2020 where a double decker open-top bus with five highly talented singers will perform for healthcare workers from the upper level of the bus while at the N1 City Hospital (09h00 – 09h40), Groote Schuur Hospital (10h30 – 11h00), Somerset Hospital (12h25 to 13h05) and Netcare Chris Barnard Hospital (14h00 to 14h30), while adhering to social distancing and COVID-19 protocols
MC and vocalist, Mortimer Williams (7de Laan, Fiela’s Child) together with Adcock Ingram Sponsors of Brave campaign ambassador, Nicole Capper (Mrs South Africa 2017, runner up Survivor SA 2019) will share a message of hope, then introduce Cape Town singers Leah (Movie - As Jy Sing, ABBA Tribute Show), Lynelle Kenned (Westside Story, Sound of Music), Namisa Mdlalose (The Colour Purple, Kinky Boots) and Keeno Lee Hector (Sarah se Geheim - Kyknet, Fame the musical). The vocalists will sing popular local songs including Spirit of the Great Heart, Paradise Road, Asimbonanga intro, Nuwe Oukraal-liedjie and a medley of popular Mango Groove songs, Dance Some More and Nice to See You and the evergreen hit, Pata Pata. The performance of individual numbers will last around 30 minutes, ending with the group medley finale.
The objective is to reach out to those in the building, to hear the songs. “While some may look outside from windows and doors, we do not want to draw people outside or to the bus; instead we are taking songs of hope to the people in the various hospital buildings as we proudly launch HOPEtober.” says Yudhveer Singh, spokesperson of Adcock Ingram OTC Sponsors of Brave / HOPEtober.
The Adcock Ingram OTC HOPEtober campaign began in Johannesburg with performances at the Netcare Sunninghill, Chris Hani Baragwanath and Charlotte Maxeke Hospitals on Tuesday, 22 September 2020 followed by performances on Wednesday, 23 September 2020 at the Netcare Unitas, the Life Eugene Marais and Netcare Pretoria East Hospitals in Pretoria. Recognised for their roles in television, musical theatre and film, vocalists Craig Urbani, Lelo Ramasimong, Tshepo Ncokoane and Danelle Cronje shared joy through song with MC Mortimer Williams and Adcock Ingram OTC HOPEtober Ambassadors Nicole Capper and Derek Watts.
Highly accomplished musicians, Wessel Odendaal (Rock of Ages, Phantom of the Opera) and Kevin Kraak (Lion King, Chicago The Musical) are the musical directors for the Gauteng and Cape Town performances, respectively. Gearhouse Splitbeam brings its technical expertise and equipment to amplify the sounds of hope in all three cities.
The live entertainment industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 regulations which means that performers, singers, musicians, dancers, creative and management teams, etc are still unemployed after six months. The producers of the initiative, Debra de Souza, Matthew Counihan and Yolanda Kimber together with the musical directors, photographers Christiaan Kotze and Lance Petersen and the singers each receive a nominal stipend for their time and support.
The HOPEtober suppliers Alliance Safety, Eyethu Events and Group, DPI Branding & Printing, Ulysses Tours & Transfers, City Seeing Cape Town, Riboville Hotel, The Last Word Constantia, Quench Catering and Carmen’s Catering all contributed in various ways. This initiative is made possible by the generous support of Adcock Ingram OTC.
In these uncertain times we all need hope. Our lives have been affected in so many ways. By trying new skills or creating opportunities we are cultivating hope in our individual lives which positively affects those around us and those around them. From chefs making candles and personal trainers tutoring children to professionals packing food parcels there are so many ways to spread hope throughout South Africa this October and in the months following.
Through HOPEtober, Adcock Ingram OTC Sponsors of Brave is reaching out, asking you to join them by lifting the spirits of those around you, sharing hope through kindness. A wave to those on board the HOPEtober bus, is a great start, they’ll be counting on you to share hope throughout HOPEtober. #HOPEtoberBrave
ROUTE: (performance times estimated)
Tuesday, 29 Sept 2020: CAPE TOWN
N1 City Hospital (09h00 – 09h40), 1 Louwtjie Rothman Street
Groote Schuur (10h30 – 11h00) Main Road, Observatory
Somerset Hospital (12h25 to 13h05), Greenpoint
Netcare Chris Barnard Hospital (14h00 to 14h30), Cnr DF Malan and Rua Bartholomeu Dias Plain, City Centre.
SONGS OF HOPE
Chant into Gimme Hope (Joanna) HOPEtober
Spirit of the Great Heart
A duet of Paradise Road
African Dream
‘Die Nuwe Oukraal-liedjie’
Toto’s Africa with Asimbonanga intro.
Medley: Dance Sum More (Mango Groove)/Kaptein/Pata Pata/Nice to see you (Mango Groove)
