Where Have You Been?

December 29, 2015
by Rodney Olsen
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Where Have You Been?

This year is almost at an end and as with most years it’s had it’s ups and downs. One of the big ‘ups’ is that I had my first ever overseas holiday. Together with my family I visited Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.

I’ve been overseas a number of times in the past but it’s always been for work or for some other cause. This time it was all about enjoyment. That’s not to say that I haven’t enjoyed all my other trips but there’s something different about travelling purely for enjoyment and especially travelling with people you love.

Including my home country of Australia, I’ve actually been in 17 countries so far. I’ve been able to spend significant time in some countries with others only visited while in transit or for a very short time. The places I’ve been include Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, USA, Canada, India, Haiti, Dominican Republic, PNG, Bangladesh, Indonesia, South Africa, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Thailand, Myanmar and Hong Kong. You can see them all plotted out on the map below.


I wonder how many countries you’ve visited? Let me know your favourite (and maybe not so favourite) places in this wonderful world of ours.



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Soweto Gospel Choir in Perth

March 6, 2013
by Rodney Olsen
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choirimage

Many people consider South Africa’s Soweto Gospel Choir to be the most exciting group to emerge in world music in recent years. That claim is backed up by the fact they’ve won two Grammies.

The Choir’s repertoire reflects their faith and spiritual journey, sung in six different languages.

Since its first international performances in Australia in 2003, Soweto Gospel Choir has become a worldwide phenomenon performing sell-out concerts across the world and singing alongside superstars including Bono, Queen, Annie Lennox, Diana Ross, Jimmy Cliff and Celine Dion, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and others.
shimmy
They’re currently in Perth for a concert and I was very pleased to welcome founding member Shimmy Jiyane to the studio this morning during my radio program on 98five.

I’ve seen the choir in concert and I can assure you that they put on a show that you’ll never forget. The smiles on other concert goers after their concert suggest that they certainly know how to please an audience. I can’t imagine anyone leaving their shows without feeling uplifted.

If you want to hear a little of the history of the choir, their faith story and more about their performances, just click the play button on the audio player below.



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The Bishop of Harare

December 4, 2008
by Rodney Olsen
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Bishop_Sebastian_Bakare.JPGZimbabwe is a landlocked country bordered by South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique. The country is governed by President Robert Mugabe, who has been accused of massive violations of human rights.

Zimbabwe is currently experiencing chronic shortages in food and other essentials causing massive suffering throughout the population.

In Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, there has been a large outbreak of cholera with hundreds of people dead and thousands more suffering from the disease.

The Rt Rev Dr. Sebastian Bakare is the current Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Harare. Last month he received a prestigious peace award in Sweden for his committed work for human rights in a politically unstable Zimbabwe.

Bakare spoke of Zimbabwe to the media at the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, England in July this year.

“The ruling system is so oppressive that it has denied the people their human rights, including religious freedom. My diocese continues to suffer persecution. We have been denied the freedom to worship.”

It was a pleasure to have him join me in the studio this morning during my programme on 98.5 Sonshine FM. He spoke about the persecution many have suffered and are continuing to suffer. You can hear what he had to say by clicking play on the audio player at the bottom of this post.



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Soweto Gospel Choir in Perth

June 17, 2008
by Rodney Olsen
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sgc.jpgMany people consider South Africa’s Soweto Gospel Choir to be the most exciting group to emerge in world music in recent years. That claim is backed up by the fact they’ve won two Grammies.

The Choir’s repertoire reflects their faith and spiritual journey. Their latest show, African Spirit, is sung in six different languages.

Since the choir’s first international performances in Australia in 2003, Soweto Gospel Choir has become a worldwide phenomenon, performing sell-out concerts across the world and singing alongside superstars including Bono, Queen, Annie Lennox, Diana Ross, Jimmy Cliff and Celine Dion, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and others.

They’re in Perth for four concerts. Pauline and I were privileged to be in the audience for the first of those concerts last night at His Majesty’s Theatre.

It was a real pleasure to welcome a number of representatives from the choir to the studio this morning during my morning radio programme on 98.5 Sonshine FM. I had opportunity to talk to a couple of members and enjoy a live performance in the studio.

You can hear the interview by clicking on the play button of the audio player at the bottom of this post.

It was fantastic to hear them talk about their faith and the opportunities they have to talk about spirituality to such diverse audiences.



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