Because we are! Mzansi All-Stars create a new song for South Africa!
South Africa (24 September 2020) – Some of South Africa’s finest artists have come together to create a powerful “love letter to our nation” at a critical moment in our history, and our future.
Over 30 diverse musicians representing multiple genres, cultures and generations have added their voices to ‘Because We Are’ – a song written by Freshlyground founders, Zolani Mahola (aka The One Who Sings) and Aron Halevi – under the collective name Mzansi All-Stars.
The iconic music video was released on Heritage Day (24 September) and has been created using hand-painted stop-frame animation by Thabang Lehobye, a young up-and-coming visual artist based in JHB, and features homemade footage filmed by the contributing artists during Level 5 of Lockdown.
While our country grapples with the impact of COVID-19 on our lives and economy, along with deeply divisive social issues including racism and gender-based violence, ‘Because We Are’ reminds us of our resilience and demonstrates the power of diversity, collaboration and collective action in determining our trajectory.
“Heritage is not just about the past,” says Halevi. “Whatever we make now becomes the heritage of our future.” With South African public sentiment lower than it’s been since the tumultuous years of the 1980s, the creative sector plays a crucial role in impacting the way we feel about ourselves, each other, our past and our future.
“We have a globally celebrated constitution,” says Mahola. “Now is the time to infuse these ideals into our minds and hearts and make their values truly come alive.”
The video follows the journey of a young girl through significant moments of triumph and tribulation in South Africa’s past and present, highlighting the role of active citizenship and our audacity to shine, even in the darkest of times.
Watch the video here:
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