Edward Tsumele

Edward Tsumele

Aids orphans have not been forgotten this festive season.

A concert dubbed the SABC- Amaha Family Picnic for Child- headed Households will take place at Florida Lake in Johannesburg on December 26.

African Musicians Against HIV-Aids (Amaha) is a collaboration between the SABC and 120 South African musicians.

Those who are scheduled to perform are Bongo Maffin, a reunited Afro-pop band that has a huge following in South Africa and beyond; Stimela, a legendary group that does not need any introduction to discerning music lovers in southern Africa; Rebecca Malope, who has distinguished herself in the gospel music genre; Solly Moholo, who continues to dominate the traditional gospel repertoire; Malaika, another Afro-pop group which continues to attract hordes of crowds to its performances.

Others are Doc Shebeleza, Kabelo, Arthur, M'du, Teargas, Ihashi Elimhlophe and Maru A Pula.

The event will start at 9am.

This is the second year running that the SABC supports this initiative by partnering with different organisations to bring more awareness and raise funds for child-headed households.

Dali Mpofu, the SABC's chief executive, said: "As the SABC we feel that this is a national crisis that needs to be highlighted as there should be no orphans in a caring society.

"Children are a mirror of humanity and if we ignore their plight now, we would have failed as a society."

Amaha chairman Doc Shebeleza said: "As Amaha we feel that this is one of our social responsibility programmes to ensure that we give back to the communities that support us as artists and musicians.

"It's in our culture of ubuntu to care and add value to our fellow underprivileged brothers and sisters. Without the SABC and the Department of Arts and Culture this initiative would not be possible."

The initiative is also supported by the Department of Health, the SAPS, and the City of Johannesburg.

The event's media sponsors are Sowetan, Sunday World, YFM and Jozi FM.