‘As a musician, I can contribute my voice to the pursuit of a South Africa where women, men and children can pursue their dreams without the threat of violence’

Songstress Natalie Chapman will venture on a 90-day, 90-town, 90-gigs tour of performances and public discussions, along with rape activist Andy Kawa – founder of “Kwanele! Enuf is Enuf!”, an organisation that speaks out against sexual and physical violence in South Africa – and The Epic Foundation, which assists victim of rape and abuse.

The tour, which kicks off on 30 January at Pretoria’s Cafe Barcelona, intends to give a voice to victims of violent and sexual crimes with the aim of raising awareness and funding for the Kwanele initiative.

“I have committed my time and skills to the 90 days, 90 towns, 90 gigs tour where I will spread my message through music,” Chapman told Rolling Stone. “I hope in some way to make a difference in all of our lives. I must add that the challenge of putting together a non-stop three-month tour, getting to perform every night to a new audience in places I have never been to, is very appealing. My tool is my voice and my music; I don’t think I could find a better way to use them than to be involved in a project like this.”.

Andy Kawa started the Kwanele! Enuf is Enuf! foundation after she fell victim to a brutal gang-rape two and a half years ago. Kawa will be addressing attendees at each of Chapman’s performances.

“I believe that as a society we need healing and reconciliation as the cases of rape and sexual abuse run deep in the social fabric of our society. We can attain this healing and begin a new era in South Africa where women, men and children live freely without the fear of rape and molestation and where rape and sexual violence in an exception instead of the norm,” said Kawa.

The Kwanele foundation aspires to shift perceptions on this issue by raising awareness and mobilising communities to safeguard their own environments against criminal activity.

The Epic Foundation, the other partner in the countrywide initiative, aims to empower survivors of rape and abuse. It was founded early in 2013 by Alta McMaster, who had herself experienced various traumas. With her deep understanding of the loneliness and suffering experienced by victims, her project has served the Gauteng community well – to the extent that she was nominated as Gauteng’s Hero in 2013 by Lead SA.

Said Chapman: “As a musician, I can contribute my voice to the pursuit of a South Africa where women, men and children can pursue their dreams without the threat of violence. Where perpetrators are brought to justice and victims are treated with kindness and support.”

The tour will be available for online streaming, and will be filmed, with updates across social media platforms.

For more information, visit Natalie’s website.