Soweto celebrates the historic Nassau Accord

Thu, Oct 29th 2015, 02:51 PM

In a relatively low key affair, the Grammy Award winning Soweto Gospel Choir is in The Bahamas this week to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the NASSAU ACCORD.

Music enthusiasts would remember that this choir was formed in Soweto by choir directors David Mulovhedzi and Beverly Bryer. Their blend of gospel, Negro spirituals, reggae and American popular music has won them two Grammy Awards. Their albums Blessed and African Spirit  both won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album in 2007 and 2008 respectively.

It was in October 1985 right here in Nassau on the Cable Beach property now known as the Baha Mar resorts campus when Commonwealth Heads of Government held their inter-sessional meetings and high on the agenda was apartheid in South Africa and the imprisonment of freedom fighter Nelson Mandela. Coming out of those plenary sessions was the NASSAU ACCORD. The world community considered Nelson Mandela a prisoner of conscience and a political prisoner.

As fate would have it, Tourism Minister the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe was the lead journalist from the Bahamas Broadcasting Corporation (ZNS) to cover this event and record its historic significance. The Religious Tourism Department of the Ministry of Tourism is playing host to this choir’s visit this week.

Then Prime Minister the late Sir Lynden Pindling was elected chair of the CHOCM, a policy decision was made to impose broad based sanctions against South Africa because of its race-based policies and the rest as they say is history. All formally banned political parties were legalized on 2nd February 1990; Mandela was freed and left the Victor Verster prison on 11th February and was sworn in as president on 10th May 1994, forming the first majority rule cabinet since the imposition of apartheid. Mr. Mandela would serve as president until the 14th June 1999.

This visit again underscores the significant role The Bahamas has and continues to play in advancing the cause of human rights globally. This week The Bahamas became the first English speaking country in the Caribbean to vie for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Our country's fight for human rights continues.

During their tour, the Soweto Choir was serenaded by the National Boys Choir, the National Children's Choir and components of the College of The Bahamas Choir on Tuesday night at the Center for the Performing Arts. The music group is scheduled to perform in concert in Rawson Square on Thursday evening at 6pm.


The National Children's Choir under the direction of Dr. Patricia Bazard entertain our special guests, the Soweto Gospel Choir from Soweto, South Africa on the evening of Tuesday, 27th October 2015 at the National Center for the Performing Arts.


Seated in the second and third rows, members of the Soweto Gospel Choir enjoy a performance by our children's choir, the boy's choir and a special appearance from members of the College of The Bahamas choir. Seated in the front row is Mr. Dwight Armbrister, head of the Religious Tourism department within the Ministry of Tourism.

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