USA: Singers and celebrities attend the 10th anniversary benefit concert of 'Artists for a New South Africa'

Record ID: 388479

  • Title: USA: Singers and celebrities attend the 10th anniversary benefit concert of 'Artists for a New South Africa'
  • Date: 29th May 1999
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES (RTV) PAN FROM DENZEL WASHINGTON TO WIDE OF CROWD IN LOBBY SOUNDBITE (English) ANSA CO-FOUNDER ALFRE WOODARD SAYING: "South Africa's success is vital to the entire continent of Africa. South Africa's success is vital to all nations everywhere who are struggling to become democracies themselvesand it is vital to countries such as our
  • Embargoed: 13th June 1999 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
  • Reuters ID: LVAEIITT55WMDWDIKABA61L6MTN7
  • Story Text: Celebrities including Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Alfre Woodard, Mary Steenbergen and Samuel L.
    Jackson joined an all-star musical lineup that featured Stevie Wonder, Joan Baez and Hugh Masekela to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Artists for a new South Africa in Los Angeles.
    The evening was presented by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
    In celebration of ten years of activism on behalf of the peoples of South Africa, ANSA, (the non-profit Artists for a New South Africa) held their first large-scale benefit concert which featured musicians, actors, and just regular folk gathered together to celebrate the progress being made in building an economically free South Africa.
    The list of attendees was a long one, and included long-time activist couple Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, as well as Pauletta and Denzel Washington, and Mr and Mrs.Samuel L.
    Jackson.Julia Ormond, Robert Guillaume, Alexandra Paul, Ted Danson, and Djimon Honsou were also amongst the celebrants.
    Though the mood was festive, the star-studded crowd that packed Los Angeles' Wiltern Theatre were focused on the serious work that is yet to be done as the young democracy prepares to tackle its biggest post-apartheid goal: economic equality for its people.
    Recently appointed ambassador to South Africa Sheila Sisulu, daughter of aparthied activist Walter Sisulu, says the task is a huge one.
    "We need to grow the economy so that we can address the needs of our people that continue to be vast in the areas of housing, electricity, education, health care and so forth, so those challenges are huge because they are challenges of centuries not only decades."
    The event was an occasion to celebrate past successes in the struggle against apartheid while making all present aware of the next step in South Africa's growth and what it means for people all over the world.
    Initially ANSA educated and mobilized artists to advocate for economic sanctions, support the cultural boycott and increase public awareness.The organization is now working side by side with South African leaders and organizations to help rectify some of the severe social and economic problems which are apartheid's legacy.
    "South Africa's success is vital to all nations everywhere who are struggling to become democracies themselves," says ANSA co-founder Alfre Woodard."It is vital to countries such as ours (USA) who are seeking to heal its racial and ethnic divisions, an so we are here to celebrate, educate, and stimulate."
    Guest of Honour and keynote speaker, retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu seemed to truly enjoy the festivities, making jokes about his singing voice, dancing onstage during the musical finale and exhorting a standing, arm waving crowd to chant with him "we are free, all of us, black and white..." at the end of his turn onstage.
    Asked about the future of South Africa in his eyes, he responded with an enthusiastic "great!"
    "Our country is a scintillating success waiting to happen.
    Very many young people, gifted, who are coming up and they have a firm foundation laid by Nelson Mandela and others who assisted him, but we still need the world.Help us to become this scintillating success."
    Although the upcoming election in South Africa prevented him from attending, President Nelson Mandela was at the heart of everyone's thoughts, sending a videotaped message of support.
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