One of South Africa’s biggest music exports, Nathi Maphumulo, popularly known as DJ Black Coffee, is throwing his art behind the Solidarity Fund to raise money to support the hardest hit by the coronavirus outbreak.
The SAMA winning DJ and producer will livestream his set at 9:00pm tonight to get all South Africans staying safe and while at home, on their feet, as they end the first week of lockdown.
DJ Black Coffee will be going live via his Facebook and @GongBoxafrica YouTube tonight at 12 PM LA / 3 PM NYC / 9 PM JNB #HomeBrewed
A @gofundme page to collect funds for @solidarityfundrsa which aims to prevent, detect, care and support those affected by Covid-19 has also been set up. South Africans can also contribute to the fund directly. For details visit https://www.solidarityfund.co.za/
Outside of some 20 countries, the Covid-19 causing coronavirus has spread all over the world making the public health crisis an economic one too as countries close borders, ban travel, and shut all non-essential businesses.
In a widely hailed move, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a complete lockdown of the country last Friday to contain the contagion to flatten the curve and to manage the pandemic and its impacts on households and communities.
The Solidarity Fund was created to mobilize and coordinate contributions from all South Africans and members of the international community to ensure the most efficient and impactful allocation of capital is made available to cushion the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic for the most vulnerable members of society.
Launched with R150 million seed capital donated by the state, the Fund has since received donations that have brought the total to over R2 billion. Use of funds will focus on fast tracking and accelerating critical interventions in the areas of health response, humanitarian efforts and the use of a Solidarity Campaign to mobilize citizens in unified action fight against the devastating impact of the virus.
Commenting on Black Coffee’s initiative, the Solidarity Fund chairperson, Gloria Serobe said, “we are incredibly excited that the Solidarity Fund was Black Coffee’s choice for his live stream benefit concert tonight. This is exactly the type of unity in action that the Fund is looking to inspire and evidence that the Fund is there for all South Africans to unite in the fight against Covid-19.”
The Fund announced earlier this week that it will make its first disbursement to purchase 5 million medical masks. By next week these masks will arrive in South Africa and be sent to where they’re needed most to protect doctors, nurses, and community health workers on the front line.
“I couldn’t have found a better use for my music and my craft than use it to help fellow South Africans who in the spirit of Thuma Mina, have stood with the President, stayed home and stayed safe,” says DJ Black Coffee.
“At a time of great uncertainty, I’m inspired by the resilience and commitment of South Africans. After weeks of isolation and reflecting, I’ve decided that I will commit to a residency of livestream sessions…while fundraising and building awareness to aid different charities. These foundations along with you and I are together in the fight against COVID-19, healing our loved ones, supporting the medical staff on the frontline and empowering freedom to live our lives to the fullest once again.”