As South Africa slowly eases out of the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting difficult challenges on people from all walks of life, the idea of dedicating October 2020 as a month of hope for all South Africans led to the creation of “HOPEtober”, an initiative from Adcock Ingram OTC Sponsors of Brave to encourage people to work towards restoring hope through acts of kindness to fellow citizens.
As part of its HOPEtober campaign, Adcock Ingram OTC Sponsors of Brave is taking hope through the joy of song to healthcare workers and professionals in three major cities for the purpose of uplifting them, showing appreciation and care while also extending the message of hope to patients, staff and visitors to the respective hospitals.
Kicking off in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 22 September 2020 a double decker open top bus with five highly talented SA singers including Craig Urbani (Chicago The Musical, Rocky Horror Picture Show), Danelle Cronje (Seussical The Musical, Doringrosie), Lelo Ramasimong (The Voice 2019 – top 12, The Colour Purple), Tshepo Ncokoane (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Kinky Boots) and Mortimer Williams (7de Laan, Fiela’s Child) will stop in the parking areas at the Netcare Sunninghill Hospital, Discovery Head Office in Sandton, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and Charlotte MaxekeJohannesburg Academic Hospital where they will sing from the top level of the bus, adhering to social distancing and COVID-19 protocols.
The objective is to reach out to those in the building, to hear the songs. “While some may look outside from windows and doors, we do not want to draw people outside or to the bus; instead we are taking songs of hope to the people in the various hospital buildings as we proudly launch HOPEtober.” says Yudhveer Singh, spokesperson of Adcock Ingram OTC Sponsors of Brave / HOPEtober.
Also doubling as the Master of Ceremonies, Mortimer Williams with the Adcock Ingram Sponsors of Brave campaign ambassadors Nicole Capper (Mrs South Africa 2017, runner up Survivor SA 2019) in Gauteng and Cape Town and Derek Watts (Carte Blanche, MC work, guest speaker) in Johannesburg will share a message of hope, then introduce the singers and songs including Spirit of the Great Heart, Paradise Road, Die Nuwe Oukraal-liedjie, Asimbonanga
and a medley of popular Mango Groove songs, Dance Some More and Nice to See You with the evergreen hit, PataPata. The performance of individual numbers will last around 30 minutes, ending with the group medley finale.
On Wednesday, 23 September 2020 the bus with the same vocalists heads to Pretoria taking hope through song to the Netcare Unitas Hospital, the Life Eugene Marais Hospitaland Netcare Pretoria East Hospital.
Thereafter HOPEtober extends to Cape Town on Tuesday, 29 September 2020 where the same repertoire will be sung for healthcare workers and patients at the Netcare N1 City Hospital, Groote Schuur, Somerset Hospital and the Red Cross Children’s Hospital. Mortimer Williams will be joined by Cape Town singers Leah van Nierkek (Movie – As Jy Sing, ABBA Tribute Show), Lynelle Kenned (Westside Story, Sound of Music), Namisa Mdlalose (The Colour Purple, Kinky Boots) and Keeno Lee Hector (Sarah se Geheim – Kyknet, Fame the musical)
Highly accomplished musicians, Wessel Odendaal (Rock of Ages, Phantom of the Opera) and Kevin Kraak (Lion King, Chicago The Musical) are the musical directors for the Gauteng and Cape Town performances, respectively. GearhouseSplitbeam brings its technical expertise and equipment to amplify the sounds of hope in all three cities.
The live entertainment industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 regulations which means that performers, singers, musicians, dancers, creative and management teams, etc are still unemployed after six months. The producers of the initiative, Debra de Souza, Matthew Counihan and Yolanda Kimber together with the musical directors, photographers Christiaan Kotze and Lance Petersen and the singers each receive a nominal stipend for their time and support.
The HOPEtober suppliers Alliance Safety, Eyethu Events and Group, DPI Branding & Printing, Ulysses Tours & Transfers, City Seeing Cape Town, Riboville Hotel, The Last Word Constantia, Quench Catering and Carmen’s Catering all contributed in various ways. This initiative is made possible by the generous support of Adcock Ingram OTC.
In these uncertain times we all need hope. Our lives have been affected in so many ways. By trying new skills or creating opportunities we are cultivating hope in our individual lives which positively affects those around us and those around them. From chefs making candles and personal trainers tutoring children to professionals packing food parcels there are so many ways to spread hope throughout South Africa this October and in the months following.
Through HOPEtober, Adcock Ingram OTC Sponsors of Brave is reaching out, asking you to join them by lifting the spirits of those around you, sharing hope through kindness. A wave to those on board the HOPEtober bus, is a great start, they’ll be counting on you to share hope throughout HOPEtober
#HOPEtoberBrave.
ROUTES: (performance times estimated)
Tuesday 22 Sept 2020: JOHANNESBURG
Adcock Ingram Head Office in Midrand (08h30 to 09h10)1 New Road, corner New and 7th Midrand.
Sunninghill Hospital (10h40 to 11:10) Witkoppen Rd and Nayuki Road, Sunninghill
Discovery Head Office, (12h15 to 12h50), Discovery Place, Sandton
Chris Hani Hospital (14:15 to 14:40) 26 Chris Hani Rd, Diepkloof
Charlotte Maxeke Hospital (15h55 to 16h20) 5 Jubilee Road, Parktown
Wed 23 Sept 2020: PRETORIA
Adcock Ingram Head Office 1 New Road, corner New and 7th Midrand.
Netcare Unitas Hospital (09h15 – 10h00 ) Clifton Ave, Lyttleton
Union Buildings photo opp. (11h10 to 11h40)
Eugene Marais Hospital (12h20 to 13h00) 696 5th Ave, Les Marais
Netcare Pretoria East Hospital (14h05 to 14h40) Cnr Garsfontein & Netcare Road, Moreleta Park
Tuesday, 29 Sept 2020: CAPE TOWN
N1 City Hospital (09h00 – 09h40), 1 Louwtjie Rothman Street
Groote Schuur (10h30 – 11h00) Main Road, Observatory
Somerset Hospital (12h25 to 13h05), Greenpoint
Red Cross Children’s Hospital (14h05 to 14h35), Rondebosch
