New music project raises awareness of social problems

IN A bid to discover new talent, while also offering a platform to raise awareness about rape and abuse, organisation Rada has released a compilation album featuring 16 South African artists performing their original songs.

Rada (an acronym for rape, alcohol, drugs and abuse) runs community projects aimed at helping secure a healthier and safer world.

It was founded by John Paul Nobrega in 2013. He was sitting in the traffic on his way to work, listening to his daily dose of the Breakfast Show with Darren Simpson on what was then 94.7 Highveld Stereo, when he noticed something unusual.

“I listen to music to destress. As I was listening to the show I noticed that every few minutes a beep would echo over the airwaves, interrupting their daily broadcast,” he said.

Later Nobrega learnt the beep symbolised each time someone was raped in the country, a campaign broadcast in conjunction with LeadSA.

“I switched the radio off and tried to forget about it.

“After two weeks I still had this cloud hanging over my head and knew that something had to be done.

“I grew extremely emotional about it, had a lengthy discussion with Jacqueline Gilbert (now Rada managing director) and shortly thereafter bonded the house and started Rada.”

An accountant by trade, he now juggles his time between the organisation and his day job. Via the organisation’s music arm, Rada Unearthed, they not only raise awareness for Rada, but also serve the arts community by providing a platform for musicians to showcase their talents.

“We want to give back to the musical arts, to give South African artists, both established artists and up-and-coming, a chance to expose their ability,” he said. I know it’s a cliché but music is a universal language,” Nobrega said.

Their first album, launched yesterday, is titled Rada Unearthed Volume 1.

Nobrega said he had reached out to artists, informing them about his cause, and more and more got on board.

“We thought: ‘ Let’s make it bigger.’ And that’s how the album came about,” he said.

Nobrega said the first single, Undefeated by Carolinbe Barole, encapsulated what Rada was all about. It told the story about one man’s fight to survive against the odds.

● Visit www.radaunearthed. co.za, or get your album on iTunes and other digital platforms.

sinolwazi.april@inl.co.za