by Thinus Ferreira
Oprah Winfrey, the African Children's Choir, Archibishop Thabo Makgoba, Julia Roberts and a growing list of headliners are joining to take part in a new global live-streamed event, The Call to Unite, this weekend to uplift and inspire people amidst the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.
The Call to Unite will be live-streamed in English at www.unite.us as well as on the social media platforms of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and others. It will run for 24 hours, starting on Saturday morning, 2 May at 02:00 (South African time SAST).
The event will feature a special opening hour by Tim Shriver, the longtime chairperson and CEO of the Special Olympics, with people like Oprah Winfrey, Eckhart Tolle, T.J. Jakes and former American presidents.
Throughout the 24 hours, leaders and entertainers will joint frontline heroes and citizens from around the world by performing a song, teaching something, sharing a memory, or announcing a commitment to action.
"Today, billions of people around the world are isolated and anxious because of the Covid-19 pandemic - unable to gather with loved-ones, go to work, or even mourn those they've lost," says Call to Unite.
"Still, in this moment of isolation, millions are rising to the occasion by showing each other love and support in countless ways. The Call to Unite is a celebration of those acts of humanity, and an invitation to the world to join in lifting one another in this moment of need."
The Call to Unite will feature a growing list of people, including the African Children's Choir, Alanis Morissette, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Biso Tutu-Gxashe, Deepak Chopra, Eva Longoria, LeAnn Rimes, Mandy Moore, Maria Shriver, Marianne Williamson, Marie Kondo, Naomi Campbell, Ndaba Mandela, former American president George W. Bush, Quincy Jones, Rob Lowe, Shaka Sisulu and many more.
"All participants will be providing the world with hope and inspiration, purpose and directive, laughter and light," says The Call to Unite.
"Whether a story, sermon, meditation, poem, dance, song, practice, talk, call to inaction or call to action, they each will offer their unique gift to the world at a moment in which we need each other more than ever before."
