Written by Kormorant | 2 September 2010

The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre in De Wildt, along with Birdlife South Africa and the Freeme Rehabilitation Centre, are just some of the organisations that will benefit from famous musician Peter Sarstedt’s performance that coincides with Sappi’s tenth celebration of their Sunday picnic concert on 12 September.

Sarstedt, who is also a keen supporter of conservation and the planet, will be visiting South Africa as a guest of Sappi Limited to help raise funds and awareness for various environ-mental conservation organisations.

He has previously visited South Africa to provide support, along with Sappi, for the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre who will again benefit. The other benefi-ciaries include the Pilansberg Wildlife Trust; the Two Oceans Aquarium Cape Town Harbour Seal Project; the Bergvlam Wetland Rehabilitation project in Nelspruit, in conjunction with the Innibos Arts Festival; the Water Sisulu National Botanical Gardens in Roodepoort; the Anatolian Sheppard Project with Cheetah Outreach at the Bienne Donne Outdoor and Travel Show in Franschoek and the Sappi Green Ambassador Recycling programme.
He will also hold a number of ‘singer songwriter’ workshops for aspiring musicians, in keeping with both Sappi and his support and encouragement of music in South Africa.

Sarstedt first came to prominence in February 1969 with the Number 1 hit single ‘Where do you go to, my lovely’. He held this position for six weeks on the British charts while holding the No 1 position in 14 other countries. He was awarded the highly coveted Ivor Novello Award for Best Song 1969/70 for this composition. Today, this song is still an icon and recently the theme song for the big screen movie by Wes Anderson, 'The Darjeeling Limited'. Sarstedt has also written hits for the likes of Eden Kane, Right Said Fred and Herb Alpert.

“We invited Peter back to South Africa to add a new dimen-sion to our long-standing support for the arts, community development and conservation. Peter’s wonderful music and his passion for conservation will help generate much needed funds and awareness for a number of very worthy causes across the country,” André Oberholzer, Group Head of Corporate Affairs at Sappi said. Sarstedt will appearing as a guest artist on the Mathys Roets programme at the concert of 12 September.

His commitment to environmental conservation is highlighted in his ‘Green Alphabet’ song as it explores environmental issues that require urgent action from A to Z. ‘Hemmingway’ is a song of passion for Africa which depicts the ease in which we can lose the beauty of the natural world. Sarstedt’s signature songs were a product of a time when folk singing created an awareness of, and protested against, injustice. It captiva-ted the world in passive protest that formed the basis of change in many communities and countries.

Today, Sarstedt continues to write and perform music and songs throughout the world. While his ’green music’ entertains, it speaks of the hope for sustainable improve-ment of our planet. ‘Save the Rhino’ will be performed in South Africa to raise awareness of the plight of these magnificent creatures.

Further information regarding tickets for the fundraising events can be obtained through the beneficiary organisations or by contacting Tim Neary at tim@neary.co.za