In 2017, RADA sought out to record an album of cover songs sung by South Africa’s top musicians. What came out of it was more than just an album. RADA created a movement. RADA Inspire. Using music as a vehicle for change, RADA released, to critical acclaim, a power anthem featuring 31 of South Africa’s top artists titled We Stand Together.  This new Album is available on all digital platforms.

RADA Inspire was launched in March 2018, by the non-profit organization to create a shift in perspective. The aim was to show people that change doesn’t necessarily require physical or monetary effort, but can be brought about by a shift in mind-set and a move towards positive and meaningful living, using the slogan: Be the Way. Be the Change. One day at a time.

Taking the message to the streets in a new and dynamic way, RADA undertook an unprecedented ten month campaign, creating awareness and on-the-ground engagement through various activations and initiatives. These included highlighting issues around taxi and road user awareness, bullying in schools and the workplace, negativity in the service industry, recognizing the need for extra humanitarian care and more.

Throughout 2018, RADA Inspire was featured in numerous publications including Country Life, Essentials Magazine, Living and Loving, Your Family, Food and Home, as well as in-depth monthly coverage on Stage and Screen.  Their Campaigns also featured on television with inserts on Expresso Morning Show on SABC 3 and the Afrikaans music programme Kliphard on SABC 2.

With such a successful movement in 2018, RADA has decided to turn RADA Inspire into an annual campaign, because we realise that change is a lifelong endeavor that comes about through consistent renewing of the mind daily. RADA Inspire will continue in March 2019 with the same ten month campaign, only bigger and better.

RADA will continue to use music to bring the message of positive change to the world with the eventual release of the RADA Inspire album, additional music videos and singles featuring South African talent. RADA will also continue to seek out new artists through the RADA Unearthed project, assisting musicians in their career and using the arts as a medium to communicate the RADA Inspire message.

RADA Inspire Forecast for 2019:

March – Taxi and Road Rage Awareness Month

April – Service Industry Month

May – Bullying Awareness Month

June – Family Support and Elderly Awareness Month

July – Comfort Month

August – Women’s Month

September – Heritage Month

October – Drug and Alcohol Awareness Month

November – Orphans, homeless and community awareness month

December – Celebratory Wrap Up and Year in Review

The post RADA Inspire: 2019 appeared first on Stage and Screen.

We all have our own struggles in life, that’s for sure, but sometimes we become so self-absorbed in our worldy chaos that we forget to be mindful of those around us. To recognise and smile at the people who pass us by on a daily basis, from the gardener who cuts the grass, to the check-in lady at the doctor’s office.

Kicking off the month of April, RADA will aim to change people’s attitudes towards those in public service, by shifting perspective and creating a better understanding of the daily lives and struggles of those who work in the service industry i.e. waiters, petrol attendants, domestic workers, cashiers, the police, nurses and everyone in public service.

This forms part of the RADA Inspire movement, launched in March this year as a means to inspire the nation through a simple shift in perspective.

The aim: to encourage the citizens of South Africa to inspire both themselves and others by marrying action with awareness, and making a difference in people’s lives one day at a time. It is based on the premise that one person can make a difference, and that when you change yourself, your energy resonates, creating a ripple effect of positive change. You don’t have to be exceptional. You don’t have to exert yourself beyond your means. In the end, all it takes is to do one small thing differently, empowering others with the belief that they may do the same.

The unprecedented ten-month social campaign kicked off with a look at road users, delving into the daily lives of taxi drivers, who are responsible for transporting the majority of the population.

While providing serious food for thought around public transportation in the country, RADA will now shift their focus to the service industry, addressing issues of respect and understanding for those who serve us in various areas of our lives.

Much like RADA Inspire Taxi Month, the aim is to encourage collective empathy (the idea of shared respect and understanding) among people. To highlight the importance of being mindful in our interaction with others, to take a step back and recognise people for who they are. To remember to show appreciation for services offered, so that we can change our behaviour and how we treat other people to something inherently more positive. It is often our disregard for others that leads to hostility and tension among people.

Over the course of service month, RADA will initiate various activations, showing their gratitude for those in the service industry, to hopefully inspire others to do the same, to generate mutual understanding and respect among persons.

RADA seeks to stimulate conversation through, you the media, and to reshape the ways in which we as a society behave towards others.

Top tips: 

• Acknowledge those in service by refering to them by name. If there is no nametag present, introduce yourself and ask them their name in return.
• Consciously ask people ‘how their day is going’ and do not always accept ‘fine’ as an answer.
• Encourage conversation and take the time to listen to the answer.
• Don’t offend or use obscene language.
• Don’t take things personally.
• Practice wisdom and understanding for others.
• Be tolerant and forgiving.
• Remember mishaps aren’t always the fault of the person in service, though they often bear the grunt of it.
• Spread positivity

Call to action:

Share your positive service industry moment with us on social media #RADAinspire

The post RADA Inspired for April: Keep Calm and Serve On appeared first on Stage and Screen.