About Cape Velvet

Life for a young black man growing up in Masiphumelele squatter camp near Cape Town is tough. Social fabric has never really developed much, with too many people crowded into too little space and most of them emotionally attached to their 'real' home in the far away, rural Eastern Cape. Unemployment, addiction and criminality are the norm against which anyone with self-respect has to struggle. So when, two years ago, I chanced to meet four men from Masiphumelele in their early twenties whose great love was to sing á capella classics and opera, I decided to help them.

Hearing them sing informally together I asked "Why don't you sing in the nearby town during the summer holidays? I'm sure the tourists would love to hear you and you could earn some money." No, the police would be sure to move them on, they replied. I knew they were right and that I - a tall white male - would need to accompany them if they were to avoid such an outcome. So that's what we did. They took on the name "Cape Velvet" and started enchanting shoppers and tourists in their neighbouring towns - tentatively at first, then with a spring in their step as they realized how much they were being appreciated by their transitory audience.

Invitations to sing at events and concerts have followed and in November last, in response to regular requests "Where can I buy your CD?", we pushed the boat out and produced the first of what we hope will be many CDs, titled simply "Cape Velvet". It contains 18 songs across classic African, European and even Hebrew music and, I think, shows off their beautiful, harmonious voices. It is available only privately at the moment - fitting in being a music promoter and publisher while running a very busy other life means I definitely don't cover all the bases, and a web presence is one of this year's ambitions.

Despite the fact that all four of the guys desperately need a steady source of income to support themselves and to create a platform for a life away from their crowded homes, we've all agreed that life is not to be rushed and what will come will come. That way our time spent together, them singing, me watching the joy and surprise on the faces of passers-by, is pure pleasure. If 2009 was this much fun, with so many encouraging surprises, we reckon 2010 will be a time of great gifts.

(Written by Peter Willis, Cape Town, South Africa)

To listen to a track from Cape Velvet click here.

Contact us now to find out more and order your Cape Velvet CD, available direct from us for £10.