On Monday 27th August 2007, a historic gathering of top South
African artists came together to perform for the music video of a
brand new version of a timeless South African musical classic -
Johnny Clegg's 'Spirit of the Great Heart'. Produced by
award-winning artist, Michael Canfield, this multi-generational,
musically-diverse group has pooled their talents to collaborate on
the vocals and visuals of one of South Africa's most loved songs -
all in support of the Starfish Greathearts Foundation, an
international development charity that supports over 34,000
orphaned and vulnerable children across South Africa.
The new 'Spirit of the Great Heart' single features many award
winning South African talents including Johnny Clegg, Arno
Carstens, Karen Zoid, Josie Field, Chris Chameleon, Danny K,
Proverb , Cito (Wonderboom), Sipho 'Hotstix' Mabuse, The Bala
Brothers, Kahn Morbee (Parlotones' frontman), Louise Carver, Dr.
Victor, The Holy Cross Choir, Brenda Burnit & Michael Canfield/
RhythmSectionAfrica feat. Alistair Coakley - all in a combined
effort to raise awareness and bring life, hope and opportunity to
orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa.
'We are simply astounded by the generosity and passion that
everyone involved in this project has shown. By using their
time, talents and resources the South African music and filming
industries have helped us to inspire thousands of South Africans to
stand up and make a difference to the lives of orphaned and
vulnerable children,' says, Kelli Givens, Resource Development
Manager for the Starfish Greathearts Foundation. 'This
amazing effort will show the global community that citizens from
all walks of life are indeed stimulating a bright future for South
Africa.'
Cameron Cozens made his directorial debut with the music video of
'Spirit of the Great Heart' which he also wrote and produced.
Shot on 35 mm, the video takes the viewer into the heart of the
Starfish Greathearts Foundation and aims to mobilise and inspire a
global community to make a difference - one child at a time.
Each of the artists involved has provided a track that will feature
in addition to 'Spirit of the Great Heart' single along with the
music video and other special material on a compilation CD called
'Spirit of the Great Hearts' that will be released by Gallo Record
Company on 16 November and will be available in stores nationwide
at a cost of R149. All profits from the sale of the
compilation CD including 100% of the artists' royalties on the new
Greatheart track will go directly to benefit the Starfish
Greathearts Foundation.
Says Canfield, 'Those of us who have been blessed with talent,
abundance and a platform from which to speak have a responsibility
to show our gratitude by sharing our blessings with those less
fortunate'. This is the vision that was shared by a team
of hundreds of South Africans who came together as a nation and
donated their time, talents, trades, products and passion to make
this project possible, proving that anyone, anywhere can make a
difference.
The Starfish Greathearts Foundation would like to thank the
following organisations and individuals for making this project
possible: Michael Canfield, Catherine Bolton, Cameron Cozens, Jamie
Ramsay (DOP), Angus Rose (Music Co-Producer) Jo Gibbons (Editor),
Rosalind Nale (Producer), Gallo Record Company, Kodak, Panacam, The
Film Lab, The Video Lab, Call-a-Crew, Kids on Camera, Scene 5
Casting, Forecast, Film Chefs, Thuso Security, CGM Insurance
Brokers, Cozens Recruitment, Momentum, Centratel and Red Flag.