• August 1, 2008

Members of the Agape Children’s Choir perform with Annie Lennox at the 46664 concert in London

The choir are put through their paces at the 46664 Hyde Park concert in London

Members of the Agape Children’s Choir and performing artists at the Hyde Park concert cheer Madiba onto stage

Annie Lennox sings along with one of the younger members of the Agape Children’s Choir

Crowd parties at the 46664 concert in London

The Agape Children’s Choir sing at the 46664 concert in Hyde Park, London

Her house was burnt down, and she was isolated from her community and chased away from her church, but that didn’t stop Zodwa Mqadi from helping orphans. She was one of the founding members of Agape Children’s Centre , and recently her children’s choir graced the stages of London, performing with international stars at the 46664 concert held in Hyde Park.

Agape Centre, home to the Agape Children’s Choir, is situated in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal and is home to more than 45 children, most of whom have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. Opened in 1996 by Mqadi, who is fondly known as “Grandma Zodwa”, Agape is a Greek word meaning “unconditional love” and that’s what Grandma Zodwa gives her children every day.

Asked about the origins of Agape Children’s Choir, Zodwa says, “I saw talent in these children and I contacted the music department at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, who organised a CD recording. The choir has performed with celebrities like Alicia Keys and Bono, and there’s been a documentary made about the Choir entitled We Are Together.”

Grandma Zodwa sadly recalls the treatment she received right after opening the orphanage. “I started the orphanage in 1996 because I’m passionate about community work, but it hasn’t been an easy journey. My house has been burned down and I’ve been called names and even held at gunpoint, but I told myself that I must continue.” The community persecuted her because of the stigma attached to AIDS. The church members did not understand that HIV infection does not necessarily mean that a person has been sexually promiscuous.

“I decided to dedicate myself to helping children who have been orphaned by AIDS, starting with the orphanage. I did this so that I would never have to blame myself one day – so that I wouldn’t lie in my grave knowing that I never did my best to help the infected/affected children. I saw people close to me dying because of AIDS, and I was terrorised by pastors, so I decided to find a place in a suburb because I wanted the children to feel safe, and I’m grateful that I did,” she says.

“Not all of our children are infected or affected by HIV,” she mentions. “We are a centre for distressed orphans and it doesn’t matter if they have been infected or affected by HIV, just so long as we can help them.”

Mqadi acknowledges the singer Zwai Bala for helping the children with the production of their CD. “The proceeds from CD sales were used to rebuild the Agape Centre, which burned down in 2005. The CD wouldn’t have made as much impact if it weren’t for Zwai Bala, so I would like to thank him most sincerely.”

The children’s choir has been overseas three times and has won awards.  “46664 organisers in the UK asked if they could invite the choir to perform at Nelson Mandela’s 46664 concert in London, and we agreed because we love Tata – he did a lot for us.”

One of the children who performed in London says, “I enjoyed seeing everyone, and the people were friendly. I met a lot of celebrities including Will Smith, Annie Lenox, Amy Winehouse, Nicole, Alicia Keys, Iman (the model) and Mr Mandela.”

She is grateful to Grandma Zodwa for opening Agape Centre and says, “I love this place because it doesn’t remind me of home. I have everything I need here. My parents passed away when I was six, but I live here with my younger brother and we are happy.”

The child says she is grateful to 46664 for giving the choir the opportunity to perform at the concert. “Going to the 46664 Hyde Park concert has opened doors for us; we have grown; we performed with Annie Lennox. We sang for Mr Mandela with Amy Winehouse and other celebrities – it was wonderful,” she adds.

To read more about the Agape Children’s Choir or to make a donation, please visit this page. To view pictures of the 46664 Hyde Park concert click here.