A 90-day song for survivors
JOBURG - Singer and songwriter Natalie Chapman has kicked off her second journey around South Africa to give a voice to survivors of violent and sexual crimes.
Last year, Chapman completed what was considered to be an impossible task, 90 performances in 90 consecutive days in 90 different towns around the country.
Covering more than 13 500km and reaching thousands of individuals with her message of hope, motivation and music, it was no surprise that she was awarded a LeadSA hero award for her efforts in May last year.
Chapman kicked off her second epic journey on 28 January, this time performing double what she did last time, 180 gigs in 90 days in 90 towns.
This year the passionate musician endeavoured to spread her message of hope and awareness to all corners of South Africa and also visited Botswana, Namibia and Lesotho.
Chapman’s goal is simple, to reach one person in each town to encourage survivors to speak out about their experiences in order to find healing, but also to motivate and mobilise everyday South Africans to get involved by helping women and children’s shelters, children’s homes and schools.
Chapman is also a proud ambassador and board member of Epic Foundation, which was founded by Alta Mcmaster at the beginning of 2013. Having experienced various traumas in her own life, McMaster has a deep understanding of how lonely and helpless one can feel if no-one reaches out a helping hand. Through her personal experiences, McMaster was encouraged to provide that helping hand to others in the form of assisting with the empowerment of survivors of trauma.
Chapman will raise much-needed funds for this incredible organisation and others around South Africa through her performances and fundraising events.
Rounding off her 180 gigs on 25 April, Chapman will perform at the Kia dealership in Fourways and on 26 April she will perform at Upper Deck in Hartbeespoort.
On 27 April, Chapman will perform the last of her gigs at a concert at Marks Park in Emmarentia.
Details: www.nataliechapman.com
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