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SOUTH AFRICA SINGS AT SOUTHWARK CATHEDRAL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 17 July 2002

The Durban Serenade Choir will forge another South African link with Southwark Cathedral on Sunday July 21. The 60-strong touring group, all of Zulu origin, will sing at the Choral Eucharist at 11 am and Choral Evensong at 3 pm.

The choir has won wide recognition in promoting African folk, classical and operatic music within disadvantaged communities, winning the South African National Choir Festival four years running from 1997 to 2000.

They are touring the UK from 16 to 27July in several places including the Royal Festival Hall, and plan visits to three London schools. The tour is sponsored by Old Mutual plc. All proceeds will go to The Garland Appeal, the cancer and music charity formed in 1999 to commemorate the life of Linda McCartney, and split equally between breast cancer awareness work in the UK and South Africa.

The Dean, the Very Rev Colin Slee, says: "We look forward to hearing this splendid choir who are helping a very deserving charity and will renew warm connections with their homeland."

In April 2001, former South African President Dr Nelson Mandela opened Southwark Cathedral's Millennium development, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who headed the Cathedral appeal, visited shortly afterwards. The new buildings recently received a prestigious RIBA award.

Diocesan Communications Officer
Tel: 020-7939 9400
Mobile: 07831-694021
Fax: 020-7939 9468