Soweto's Memeza Choir carry on Mandela's legacy in the fight against HIV/AIDS

From the streets of Soweto, the Memeza Choir uses Apartheid-era struggle songs and the inspiration of Nelson Mandela as motivation in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as Books and Arts reports.

When the Memeza Choir steps forward to sing, it is clear that so much more than song radiates from each member.

It is a full-bodied expression of a deeply personal struggle from the streets of Soweto.

The choir has appropriated traditional South African songs that helped inspire resistance to apartheid in order to motivate people in the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS.

'Each and every one of us has lost a loved one, so we know what we're talking about,' says the Memeza Choir's director, Jimmy Mulovhedzi.

They move as one, hoping their unity will inspire the same in others.

'We formed this choir to be the voice for the voiceless in South Africa,' says Mulhovhedzi.

'We are not just a choir. We are a choir with a purpose.'

Beyond raising funds and awareness of HIV/AIDS, Mulhovhedzi says the choir hopes to reduce the stigma for those who have contracted the virus.

'Stigma surrounds HIV/AIDS, that is the biggest problem,' he says.

'We have designed programs that actually focus on de-stigmatising our communities, so that they can get treatment and be free to talk about HIV/AIDS.'

South African-born musician Valanga Khoza, who now lives in Melbourne, met the Memeza Choir on one of his yearly trips back to his home country.

He and his wife helped to bring the choir to Australia for a tour of their stage show Mandela in Me.

Khoza says he feels an indelible connection to their cause: 'I've lost a brother and a sister due to AIDS. What they are doing is very close to my life and my heart. Within that scourge of HIV/AIDs, there is disunity among people.

'The resistance comes from people being ostracised, being afraid that if you come out and accept that this is what you have in your life, you are going to be ostracised.'

Eighteen of the choristers are trained and certified HIV counsellors and testers, who conduct outreach and community programs within Soweto and beyond.

Jimmy Mulovhedzi says the choir is using anti-apartheid songs and the legacy of Nelson Mandela to help inspire a new wave of action.

'We use music during the struggle days. Music brings unity in our communities, so we use it as a tool and it works very well,' he says.

'[Mandela] passed on, but he left us with some work to continue uniting and creating reconciliation around the world.

'Tolerance is what we need, and that was his favourite word. We try to mobilise people to fight for tolerance.

'The work does not stop.'

Mulovhedzi turns to the Memeza Choir and leads them through a final rousing song about 'a train of hope, a train of peace'.

At its close, a sea of fists is thrust into the air in solidarity, and in hope.

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