Launch of “We Believe in You” doctor tribute music video
South African musicians JR and Shuga smakx and choir performing We believe in you.
Making it; listening to it; and dancing to it – music has long had a special place in South African culture and celebration. What better way than to acknowledge the heroic role of South African doctors and healthcare professionals?
A love song from patients
We Believe in You is South Africa’s version of the global hit, “We are The World.” It is a love song from patients to their doctors sung by an all-star collaboration of some of South Africa’s hottest entertainers.
The vibrant track and moving video are a heart-warming tribute to South African doctors and healthcare professionals whose work makes them heroes. It pays homage to their commitment, shown through their tireless work in public hospitals around the country, even as far as remote rural areas.
SA’s biggest music talents lend support
SA rock legend, Cito, rapper royals Shugasmakx and JR, and Ryno Zeelie of Figure of 8 Productions teamed up to produce the track which could be the most innovative route to #1 in recent memory. Covering rock, hip-hop, jazz, and blues genres to attract massive appeal, the track, a unique song writing collaboration, has already been described by some as an anthem for doctors across South Africa.
The artists lending their voices include well-known local musicians Graeme Watkins, ChianoSky, JR, Shugasmakx, Tamara Dey, Moneoa, KB Motsilanyane, Timothy Moloi, and Cito with support from the Clash of the Choirs finalists the Sweet Sounds Ensemble joined by the Discovery Foundation Choir.
Where are our heroes?
“We ask, ‘where are our heroes?’ Right here. You know them. They’re in your city, township, community and remote, rural outposts. They are our doctors and medical professionals who save the lives of thousands of people every day – and often face great challenges in doing so. They’re heroes. We want our track to be an emotive call to action to the people of South Africa: to support and recognise the work done by our doctors and acknowledge them as the heroes they are,” says executive producer, Alan Hilburg.
Associate producer and co-songwriter, Cito of The CoLab Network says; “I believe there is no more powerful way of voicing a message than through music. When I approached the other artists involved, they felt just as strongly as I did, that these true-life heroes should be honoured. All the artists jumped at the chance to be involved and we are humbled that we could play even a small part in this initiative”.
Innovative commitment and support
Andronica Mabuya, senior CSI specialist at Discovery, says the Discovery Foundation wanted an original, heartfelt, and entertaining concept to highlight the work done by medical professionals in especially the public sector in South Africa. “Over the past eight years, the Discovery Foundation has worked closely with doctors in our healthcare communities at medical schools and in public hospitals. We believe in the work they do; we believe in them. Now, we want to showcase this belief to the rest of South Africa,” she says.
Commissioned by the Discovery Foundation and written and produced exclusively for the 2014 Discovery Foundation Awards, the song features solo excerpts from each of the main performers with a vibrant chorus sung by Sweet Sounds Ensemble and the Discovery Foundation Choir backing these nine powerhouse vocalists.
Video ties to new documentary
Together with the movie, “Our Journey to Health” – a documentary-style film tribute to healthcare professionals working in South African healthcare – the “We Believe In You” track aims to honour them for their commitment to research excellence, scientific rigour, and medical innovation. Produced by Nicola de Chaud and directed by Jasmyn Asvant, this film follows the lives of doctors and personnel at Groote Schuur Hospital, Tygerberg Hospital, Zithulele Hospital, Mosvold Hospital, and National Health Laboratory Services for a behind-the-scenes look at the dedication and passion of many of the doctors in our country.
“Doctors are the heroes in their communities – they are heroes to their families, to their patients and should be seen and recognised as heroes in the broader South African society. Join us in celebrating our heroes with the new “We Believe In You” single,” adds Mabuya.
We Believe In You will be available for free download from Soundcloud as well as from the Discovery website. The music video is freely available on Youtube http://youtu.be/u0Adkhye-qE and Vimeo https://vimeo.com/104092770. For more information, contact Collett Dawson at collett@thecolabnetwork.com.