Antony Shaw, London: Join SA Chamber’s #FridayAnthem

At noon on Friday 19 June the South African Chamber of Commerce is once again inviting people to come together around the world on Zoom to sing the national anthem.

As lockdown restrictions in the UK and elsewhere continue, the South African Chamber of Commerce (SA Chamber) has been bringing people together virtually to sing  Nkosi Sikelela iAfrica and show solidarity

The initiative began as a singalong in April when SA Chamber chairman Sharon Constançon mobilised the business network. The plan was to reach out to the diaspora and friends of South Africa to continue the #FridayAnthem started by Cricket South Africa.

“For three weeks in April and early May we welcomed people globally to generate solidarity, singing together,” Sharon said. “Our rousing national anthem was the ideal song to promote a feeling of positivity and standing together.”

The professional West End voices of the Lion King singer Nic Vani and his wife Pearl, together with Idols SA contestant Siyakah Tshayela helped lead the live anthem singing. A social media campaign generated interest across the diaspora and back home.

A joyous virtual gathering with singers of all ages and backgrounds went online wearing the colours of the South African national flag.

Participants were especially thrilled to spot friends, colleagues and old school pals joining from across the world. Entire families and even school choirs have since added to the singing sensation with pupils from Roedean in Johannesburg and Lowveld High in Nelspruit joining in.

#FridayAnthem success

Building on the success of the #FridayAnthem, the SA Chamber invited these singers to blend their voices with 12 other artists in a special version of the anthem’s verses in Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans and English.

Professional support arrived from renowned vocalists from South Africa’s gospel scene and others within the music industry.

The actress and singer Connie McGuinness, granddaughter of Lord Peter Hain, who was thrilled to join from Wales, says: “I have always been incredibly proud of my South African heritage so it’s an honour to be part of this!” 

Behind the scenes, Chamber members worked with Jazzworx in SA on the audio and video mix. Artists sang the anthem independently and all their voices have now been blended into a final production. This will be released for the next online singalong on 19 June. 

While the SA Chamber’s #fridayanthem has played a valuable role bringing people together during lockdown, Constançon wants the virtual initiative to “make a difference”.

“As a chamber, we want to provide our community in the UK with an easy way to help their fellow citizens at home. We encourage all those who participate to make a small donation to the Solidarity Fund in South Africa to help support those most vulnerable across our nation.”

Music legends join the chorus

Music legend PJ Powers is one of the stars who has contributed in song and endorsed the efforts by the respected business network to help their homeland.

“I feel very honoured to be one of the people chosen to be part of the South African Chamber of Commerce’s new international fundraising initiative. We as South Africans will overcome what we are going through right now,” said Powers.

South Africa’s “Queen of Rock”, talk show host and The Voice judge Karen Zoid also added her vocals and support.

 “I am proud and happy to be part of this campaign to raise funds by South Africans in the UK and globally in support of those most in need,” Zoid said.

She added that in her industry alone the immediate impact of the pandemic has been huge with the cultural and creative sectors expected to lose some R53 billion during the lockdown period.

International fundraising partners Chapel and York are contributing their services to support the effort and enabling UK donations to take advantage of Gift Aid.

In May the Chamber held a webinar which gave leading figures from the Solidarity Fund an opportunity to explain how they are working with the leading private and third sector partners to meet the health and humanitarian challenges caused by the pandemic. Speakers included Adrian Enthoven (Deputy Chairperson of the Fund and Executive Chairman of Yellowwoods), Paul Bondi (the Fund’s Head of Fundraising and Co-Head, South Africa, Rothschild & Sons) and Rick Menell (Chairman of Credit Suisse South Africa).

The SA Chamber invites everyone once again to the anthem singalong n Friday 19 June at noon.

Chairman’s Challenge

In addition to the anthem video premiere, the SA Chamber will launch The Chairman’s Challenge from 18–19 July. This is a collective effort to walk, run, cycle or swim a total of 2 414km – the distance from Cape Town to Beitbridge on the Zimbabwe border and back!

“Members, fellow nationals and friends of South Africa will be welcome to participate wherever they are in the world, walking as many or as few miles as they wish, as a sign of solidarity with the country,” explained Constançon.

The chamber encourages participants to either donate to the Solidarity Fund or raise sponsorship for each kilometre they contribute to the total.

• Join the #FridayAnthem challenge on Zoom at the SA Chamber website.