Louise Carver to star in cancer charity concert

Let's put a (musical) ring on it

Seven7 Drive, an annual motoring adventure that covers more than 5 000km in South Africa in just seven days, delivering supplies and hope to kids with cancer along the way, is set to take off on 25 September.

In preparation of a much bigger effort in 2024, that will include seven different car brands, this year’s edition will again be sponsored by Kia South Africa, with the company providing three fuel-efficient turbodiesel SUVs for the journey around South Africa.

Besides the supplies delivered to kids with cancer around the country, the Drive also aims to raise funds for Cupcakes of Hope for kids with cancer, a non-profit organisation that assists families with kids with cancer in any which way they can.

To this end, the Seven7 Drive initiative will feature two music concerts along the route, with the proceeds of the sales of the tickets going to Cupcakes of Hope. In 2022 well-known Afrikaans singer Mathys Roets put up a concert in the tiny hamlet of Rhodes, in the Eastern Cape.

“At the time we had no idea whether five or 50 people would pitch up,” says Seven7 Drive’s Danie Botha.

“It turned out to be a tremendous success. The Walkerbouts Inn, where the concert was held, was packed to the rafters. The locals told us that it was quite unusual for the town’s so-called ‘church people’ and the ‘bar people’ to come together in solidarity. It turned out to be an amazing evening,” continues Botha.

Roets will be back in Rhodes on the evening of Tuesday, 26 September, again flying the Seven7 Drive flag.

Barrydale becomes central to this cause

The success of the Rhodes event prompted the organisers to include a second concert along the 2023 route, in anticipation of an even bigger musical event in 2024.

Louise Carver, renowned singer-songwriter who released her debut single when she was just 15 years old, will be performing at the hotel on Thursday, 28 September.

Her plethora of hits include “It don’t matter”, “Fallen for You” and “Play the game” – the latter reaching number one in Europe. The success of “Play the game” led to Sony UK licensing her song “I’d say yes”, which reached number one status in Europe, Russia and South Africa.

She recently released her seventh album (called “Dark Secrets”), and over the years she has won more awards than Eskom has excuses for loadshedding. So that’s a lot, and then some!

According to Botha, the Karoo Art Hotel is a jewel in the Barrydale crown, and an experience all on its own too. Besides being a typically friendly and hospitable Karoo Hotel, it also serves as a rolling exhibition space for local and regional art.

"We are delighted to play our part in this fundraiser by making the Belanti and the rest of our hotel available to guests who are going to such great length to help children in need," said hotel owner Rick Melvill.

Carver, who is contributing to this cause by not charging for her performance, will be singing in the hotel’s Belanti Ballroom (pictured above and below).

Booking a seat will ensure you get to see the amazing Carver in action. Tickets cost R150 each, and
all the ticket sale revenue will go to Cupcakes of Hope, to assist kids with cancer.

More information on bookings: Tel. 066 189-7457 / reservations@karooarthotel.co.za.

General information:
Kia Motors South Africa: www.kia.co.za
Seven7 Drive: www.facebook.com/seven7Drive
Mathys Roets: www.mathysroets.co.za
Walkerbouts Inn (Rhodes): www.walkerbouts.co.za
Louise Carver: www.louisecarver.com