A group of gospel-singing barbers from Ravensmead have come together to create a song to inspire men to love and respect all women.
The six-member band met at the Clippers Barbershop in Florida Street and, following the recent spate of femicides in South Africa, decided to write a song for women and victims of crime.
Talking to the Daily Voice at the barbershop this week, Riccardo Horn, 32, Alrichio Tenteni, 32, Zainodene Adams, 36, Vico Dirks, 29, Allastar Koopman, 26, and Rubin Jacobs, 28, all from Ravensmead, say they used to sing and harmonise while cutting clients’ hair.
Realising they have real potential, Riccardo got everyone together and they started singing gospel songs at local churches a few months ago.
“I called them up and said we should sing together and inspire the goodness that is so hidden.
“Everyone was excited and willing, so we decided to call ourselves The Willingz,” he says.
IN TUNE: The Willingz gospel group had their first gig. Picture: Jack Lestrade
“We wanted something that would tell people how we were willing to inspire with our hard work in the barber, our music, our actions and our voices.
“The song we wrote together is called The Woman and is a dedication to all our women and children that have been killed. We don’t want to see anymore of that.”
Alrichio said he was ready to do what Michael Jackson did with his song, Heal the World.
“We want to make the world a better place, safer for our women and children.
“They deserve to live and be safe in the communities that they live in, and we need to give them that.”
The Woman speaks of respect, honour and love and the guys are passionate about making a difference.
The guys have been singing at events and churches and Riccardo adds: “Our first performance was at a Ruyterwacht church event.
“We loved it and have never looked back. We all come from difficult and poor backgrounds.
“Life has not always been perfect, but we feel that we have to start with something like our women and kids.
“Love them, respect them and show others how to. That is our message to the world.”
For more information and to listen to their music, you can visit the Facebook page of Riccardo Horn.
Watch their video here:
saafia.february@inl.co.za