YVONNE Chaka Chaka has been personally hailed by Nelson Mandela as a “national icon”. She is a singer of superstar status across Africa and is also tireless in her work influencing and educating people on the dangers of preventable and treatable diseases.
On Wednesday 31 October RESULTS International (Australia) and UNICEF Australia hosted an unforgettable evening of entertainment with Yvonne, the acclaimed “Princess of Africa”, at Dendy Opera Quays at Circular Quay, Sydney.
We heard Chaka Chaka sing and talk of her work as UNICEF’s Special Ambassador on Malaria and her role at the Sydney conference Malaria 2012.
We also watched the Australian premiere of Yvonne’s moving film “The Motherland Tour – a journey of African women”.
Thank you to our generous sponsors of the event – CRBE, Nando’s and Treasury Wine Estates.
Below are some photos from the night. Click on the images to enlarge.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka is a South African singer, born in Soweto and growing up during apartheid. The “Princess of Africa” shot to stardom as a singer in her country of birth in the late 80s and has since risen to become a superstar across sub-Saharan Africa.
She has had many hits such as “I’m Burning Up”, “I Cry for Freedom”, and the ever-popular “Umqombothi” (“African Beer”) which was featured in the opening scene of the 2004 movie Hotel Rwanda.
During her 25 year music career, Yvonne has shared the stage with stars such as Bono, Annie Lennox and the rock band Queen.
UNICEF appointed Yvonne as a Special Ambassador on Malaria in Eastern and Southern Africa in April 2005. She is a tireless campaigner for children, ensuring that her voice, unique talents and well-known personality are used to draw global attention to the terrible impact of malaria on Africa’s children. Yvonne travels around the world to call on policy makers to commit greater human and financial resources to malaria.She also spread awarness in communities where, through her interaction with ordinary people, she has positively influenced use of preventive tools, such as insecticide treated nets.
Yvonne’s commitment to social issues also extends to her untiring fundraising efforts and commitment to orphans, people living with HIV, illiteracy, terminal illness, abuse and poverty.
In 2007 Chaka Chaka was appointed a global Roll-Back Malaria Goodwill Ambassador, and also founded the “Princess of Africa Foundation”.
She recently released a new documentary, A Motherland Tour: A journey of African Woman with Yvonne Chaka Chaka which will have it’s Australian premiere at our event in Sydney. This film tells the story of African women; highlighting the role these women play in improving the health of communities ravaged by HIV, TB and malaria.This film will the
Yvonne Chaka Chaka’s mentor and father figure is Nelson Mandela. He calls her his “dear daughter” and claims that it was Yvonne’s music that helped sustain him and others while in prison.
Mandela says this about Chaka Chaka:
“It is what we make of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another. Yvonne, you are a testament to my belief. You have made all of South Africa proud to claim you as a national icon. You have motivated millions of women and men on our continent. Your generosity has benefited untold numbers of families and orphans facing the challenges of AIDS, terminal illness, abuse, poverty, and illiteracy. I know you will always make your indelible mark wherever you go, and with whatever you do. There is no stopping you! You will always be my Princess of Africa.”
