12 May 2009 The internationally acclaimed, award winning show, African Footprint, celebrated its ninth birthday yesterday, 11th May 2009.

On this occasion the many members of the cast, old and new, of African Footprint would like to sincerely thank the hundreds of thousands of people who have seen the show, either on stage or on television, over the last nine years.

A big thank you goes out too, to the many members of the media who travelled this unforgettable road with us, ensuring the public were a part of each step of the incredible journey.

From China, Australia, Israel, America, Europe and most recently Mexico, Lebanon and France, where the show received the Paris Match award for “excellence and professionalism”, we have been humbled by the applause and cheers from over 3 700 performances.

One senses that even though the cast has travelled a long journey from their first performance on Millennium night on Robben Island in front of Nelson Mandela in 1999, and the world premiere at the Globe Theatre with President Thabo Mbeki as our honoured guest on 11 May 2000, it is almost impossible to say which performance stands out as every show has had its own special place in each and everyone’s heart. As the audience’s participation in the show and their interest in the country South Africa, so proudly reflected through the performances, music and lyrics has grown, so too has the performers’ vision and utter commitment to the show’s “celebratory message of democracy”.

However, standing on the stage at the Montecasino Teatro this last weekend, on Saturday 9 May at the special invitation of the President, the cast reminded us again of their cultural heritage as the words “We have been here before” from the acclaimed poet Don Mattera were proudly proclaimed in front of our new President, Jacob Zuma, world dignitaries, government officials and VIP guests at the presidential Inauguration celebratory evening.

With the audience standing and ululating during the singing of the final number, Children of Africa, which finishes with the words “and we’re proud and we’re home and we’re proud to call Africa home Abantwana be Afrika - Abantwana be Afrika”, one and all realized where the journey of African Footprint had taken us, with lives changed and lost, careers made, hard fought friendships and all in the name of African Footprint and in the words of Don Mattera for “This land, South of Africa”.

Happy Birthday Footprinters !

A personal message from Richard Loring, issued on his behalf.