Dan & Friends put together an online concert in aid of Masiphumelele residents

To help the community of Masiphumelele during the Lockdown, which was implemented because of COVID-19, Dan Green, a well-loved musician and Noordhoek resident, set out to perform songs live on a video stream. He hoped that people would watch his video and donate, with proceeds going to Masicorp in support of the current lockdown emergency manifesting in Masiphumelele township. Local and international artists such as Kurt Darren and James Bay jumped on board to help Dan to reach his goal. They collectively put together an online concert called Dan & Friends Lockdown Live Aid, to be live-streamed around the world.

Last Sunday the incredible live concert unfolded as we had the honour of having international artist James Bay sharing his talent with fans and supporters from around the world. We also had Local artists Kurt Darren, Louise Day, Francois van Coke, Donovan Copley, Jon Green, Ard Matthews, Ross Learmonth, and Ben Dey and the Concrete Lions performing in solidarity with their fellow South Africans. People watched the live streaming and generously donated towards this amazing cause, bringing hope that together we can get through this epidemic.

The COVID-19 has las left communities like Masiphumelele, where there is untold poverty, in a vulnerable position. South Africans have been put under lockdown which means that many people are unable to make a living; informal businesses have had to close down and local entrepreneurs are unable to provide for their families. There are strict restrictions prohibiting people from going to work, leaving many families without income or employment. The already dire conditions under which they all live have thus worsened for the community that we, at Masicorp, serve.

An incredible amount of R120 000 was raised during the concert and will go towards helping us feed the community of Masiphumelele during this difficult time. We will be able to continue providing weekly food and hygiene packs that families can use until we are all able to overcome the COVID-19 epidemic and can try to put our lives back together again.

We would like to thank Dan Green for thinking of the community and helping Masicorp with the herculean task of bringing a sustainable and successful solution during this time. We would also like to express heartfelt gratitude to the amazing artists who jumped on board without question to come to our aid. Lastly, we are humbled and in awe of the people, from all over the globe, that came together and donated towards this cause. We are eternally grateful to all of you.

You can follow more on our efforts to help the community, and please do consider donating to help us give back to the community of Masiphumelele by vising our COVID-19 updates page here >>https://www.masicorp.org/covid-19-updates/.

We must just add that Masicorp is but one of many NGO’s in our valley that are rallying to the cause of their neighbours in Masiphumelele. We at Masicorp, are working in partnership with those with specific capabilities and skills to help. We would also like to emphasise that there are groups from inside Masi, with young unemployed people, as well as older adults, rolling up their sleeves to help, day in and day out, from dawn to dusk!