TOP musicians will once again come together to help disadvantaged families throughout the country.
On December 22 African Musicians Against HIV and Aids (Amaha), in partnership with the Mpumalanga government, will hand over 12 houses in Piet Retief to destitute families.
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, Premier David Mabuza and his human settlements MEC will also attend the handover.
Amaha chairperson Victor Bogopane, otherwise known as Doc Shebeleza, said the housing concept came about when they were handing out food parcels to disadvantaged communities.
"We were giving food parcels to a mother and she told us that we should not give her a lot of food because it would get rotten because her roof was leaking. That was the birth of this housing initiative," he said.
Established in 1999 by local musicians to help disadvantaged communities and bring awareness on various social issues, Amaha has built 25 houses in Gauteng and Mpumalanga since July this year.
The organisation also still continues to donate food parcels to charity organisations and teach budding artists about the music industry.
Bogopane said there were no applications for the houses but that "we work with churches, social workers and local councillors to identify beneficiaries".
The houses consist of two bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room and bathroom. They also have a geyser, fridge, stove, microwave, sofas and a television set.
Amaha, which works in partnership with the Department of Human Settlements, contracts local communities to build the houses.
"Our aim is to build 50 houses in each of the nine provinces in the next three years," Bogopane said.
He said the initiative was also another way of correcting the public perception that musicians like to show off their wealth and do nothing for the community.
"We don't have money. We rely on partnerships. We use money that we generate at concerts for this good cause."
Amaha members include, among others, Ringo, Abigail Kubheka,JudithSephuma, HughMasekela,Malaika, Nhlanhla Nciza, Deborah Fraser, Ihhash'elimhlophe and Alaska.
Amaha has partnered with the SABC, Sowetan , Sunday World and others for the annual Florida Lake Family Picnic Festival the day after Christmas, on December 26.
Tickets cost R120 at the gates and R100 online. Gates open at 9am. Ringo, Masekela, Malaika, Pure Gold, Mzwakhe Mbuli, Deborah Fraser and Emzini Wezinsizwa will perform.
"It's a day to have fun with the whole family. We are doing our social responsibility duty," said Bogopane.
He said plans were in the pipeline to establish a trust fund which will focus on helping students from poor families and rural areas by paying all their tertiary education fees.
Angels of mercy do it again
TOP musicians will once again come together to help disadvantaged families throughout the country.
On December 22 African Musicians Against HIV and Aids (Amaha), in partnership with the Mpumalanga government, will hand over 12 houses in Piet Retief to destitute families.
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, Premier David Mabuza and his human settlements MEC will also attend the handover.
Amaha chairperson Victor Bogopane, otherwise known as Doc Shebeleza, said the housing concept came about when they were handing out food parcels to disadvantaged communities.
"We were giving food parcels to a mother and she told us that we should not give her a lot of food because it would get rotten because her roof was leaking. That was the birth of this housing initiative," he said.
Established in 1999 by local musicians to help disadvantaged communities and bring awareness on various social issues, Amaha has built 25 houses in Gauteng and Mpumalanga since July this year.
The organisation also still continues to donate food parcels to charity organisations and teach budding artists about the music industry.
Bogopane said there were no applications for the houses but that "we work with churches, social workers and local councillors to identify beneficiaries".
The houses consist of two bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room and bathroom. They also have a geyser, fridge, stove, microwave, sofas and a television set.
Amaha, which works in partnership with the Department of Human Settlements, contracts local communities to build the houses.
"Our aim is to build 50 houses in each of the nine provinces in the next three years," Bogopane said.
He said the initiative was also another way of correcting the public perception that musicians like to show off their wealth and do nothing for the community.
"We don't have money. We rely on partnerships. We use money that we generate at concerts for this good cause."
Amaha members include, among others, Ringo, Abigail Kubheka,JudithSephuma, HughMasekela,Malaika, Nhlanhla Nciza, Deborah Fraser, Ihhash'elimhlophe and Alaska.
Amaha has partnered with the SABC, Sowetan , Sunday World and others for the annual Florida Lake Family Picnic Festival the day after Christmas, on December 26.
Tickets cost R120 at the gates and R100 online. Gates open at 9am. Ringo, Masekela, Malaika, Pure Gold, Mzwakhe Mbuli, Deborah Fraser and Emzini Wezinsizwa will perform.
"It's a day to have fun with the whole family. We are doing our social responsibility duty," said Bogopane.
He said plans were in the pipeline to establish a trust fund which will focus on helping students from poor families and rural areas by paying all their tertiary education fees.
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