SA: PJ Powers and Mzansi Youth Choir release new song

The song’s release coincided with the annual Freedom Day celebrations in South Africa on 27 April. It forms part of a nationwide movement called Up We Go Mzansi, which is led by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture’s Social Cohesion Advocates Programme. The goal of the initiative is to mobilise society in its entirety, to work together towards building a caring and proud society, based on shared values and vision.

“The campaign anthem ‘Bayete Mzansi’ complements the movement as music truly connects, inspires, and unifies humanity,” Up We Go Mzansi said.

“It is our young people who are going to take South Africa higher and higher, and while this movement hopes to draw in, unite and mobilise all people living in South Africa. The young people are our main hope for the future. May this song open people’s hearts to pave the way and hold space for the difficult, but important discussions and actions that need to take place to move towards true social cohesion and progress.”

Up We Go Mzansi says the song serves as Phase 1 of the its movement, while Phase 2 will kick off in May with a creative youth arts competition aimed at encouraging participants all over the country to share their voice of expression to inform their collective journey. The next phase will be launched alongside a collection of well-known South African speeches filmed and reproduced in partnership with local celebrities.

Young people are encouraged to gather to watch the video clips, discuss topics and work together to devise an action plan for social cohesion, which could inspire their creative competition entries. Phase 2 will serve to motivate the people of South Africa and prepare them for Phase 3, which will encourage people to unite beyond racial and socio-economic lines, forging social and economic progress in the country.

Speaking to local media, PJ Powers said: “We have no option but to build. Unless we want our children and grandchildren to inherit nothing of this beautiful country, then we actually have to do something. And the only thing that we can do is to do it together.”

Find more about Up We Go Mzansi here.