Kelly Khumalo, Refentse, Swing City in line-up for SPAR Carols by Candlelight

The popular SPAR Carols by Candlelight, presented by Jacaranda FM’s Martin Bester and the breakfast team, is back offering South Africans a free digital festive concert.

The annual SPAR Carols by Candlelight event will take place on 2 December and will be streamed across Mzansi, featuring some of South Africa’s most prominent musicians digitally for the second year in a row.

According to Deirdre King, managing director at Jacaranda FM, last year’s digital event was so successful that they’ve kept the livestream format to reach as many fans and donors as possible.

In 2020, the SPAR Carols by Candlelight raised over R300,000 and attracted 250,000 viewers from across the world, surpassing the R250,000 goal that was set. This year, the aim is to go even bigger with the hope of raising R300,000.

The artist line-up is nothing short of spectacular, kicking off with Mzansi’s youngest pop-rock band discovered by Jacaranda FM, the 942s. This will include family-friendly entertainment specifically geared towards getting the little ones excited for the mega line-up to come.

From 6PM, the audience will be entertained by the likes of Tarryn Lamb, Swing City, Elandre, Refentse, Jo Black, Elvis Blue, J Something, Zolani, Kelly Khumalo, Charlize Berg and the Mzansi Youth Choir.

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King says these fantastic artists keep returning to the SPAR Carols by Candlelight each year, and that they are thrilled to also welcome J Something and Kelly Khumalo to the “Carols Family”.

“It’s all about what we can do together and for each other,” she says.

Pieter van Vuuren, SPAR inland advertising and promotions manager, says: “To know that our event captures the spirit of giving and helps vulnerable children share in the joy that the festive season brings, is incredibly touching. Last year, we had fans from Canada, India and Central Africa join us, this year we’re hoping that South Africans spread around the world will join Mzansi’s best as we use music to connect for a greater cause.”

Jacaranda FM and the Good Morning Angels are teaming together with SPAR and they will be using the funds raised at the SPAR Carols by Candlelight through digital donations to buy toys for 2,500 children from 11 homes across South Africa.

This year’s beneficiaries include the SOS Children’s Villages from the North West, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and the Western Cape, Child Welfare Tshwane and Midrand, Abraham Kriel Kinderhuis, Look Forward Orphanage, Juno Aurora Home and The Hanna Charity.

The concert is free for all to enjoy, but fans are encouraged to express their goodwill by making donations. All funds raised will ensure that the Good Morning Angels team can gift vulnerable children across South Africa with toys of their own.

The SPAR Carols by Candlelight will be streamed live from Jacaranda FM’s website from 5pm on 2 December and a rebroadcast is scheduled for Friday, 24 December at 5pm.

Visit www.jacarandafm.com for more information.