JAN DE WET - Musician, Singer and now Goodwill Ambassador for Child Welfare SA

On the 18th June, celebrated gospel musician, Jan de Wet, was inugurated as a Goodwill Ambassador for Child Welfare South Africa. He did it as a commitment to “helping those who promote hope in a time when we need it most as a country”.
Child Welfare South Africa (CWSA) is an umbrella body that represents 170 member organisations in communities throughout South Africa. The intention of the CWSA is to benefit South Africa, through various endeavours to create a child-friendly society. Over 2 million children and their family members or caregivers receive services from CWSA affiliates, branches and developing children’s organisations countrywide. Jan de Wet who regularly tours overseas, is regarded as a pioneer in the local Gospel music industry. Besides his multiple awards and numerous gold records he also serves as the spiritual father of many of South Africa's current Christian artists.

We asked Jan a couple of questions on his career and his new appointment:

Q: So you have been in the South African music industry for a long time and are seen as one of the front-runners in South African Christian music. Could you tell us more about your music career and how you got into music…you went from a pastor to a teacher and then back to a pastor and eventually a musician?
A: I recorded my first album in 1967 and had the privilege to record close to 60 albums through the years. I started a full time musical ministry in 1983 and have toured South Africa extensively and also ministered through music in other countries like Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Israel, England and Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland and Germany.

Q: How does it feel being inaugurated as a Goodwill Ambassador of Child Welfare South Africa and what does this position entail? You have worked with children quite a lot in your career for example on your "Lofliedjies" albums?
A: For more than a decade I had the privilege to minister also to smaller children with music as a tool and I am still very much involved in this. This platform gives me the opportunity to help children in need to live with hope. Child Welfare SA asked me to be involved in their work especially to bring awareness to people of the desperate needs of millions of children in our country and to be directly involved in ministering to these needy children. The title “Ambassador” may sound very grandiose, but in fact it just means: Get up and do something. Let’s work!

Q:What are views on Child Welfare in South Africa now?... Do you think enough is being done to protect our children?
A: Many people and organisations are busy with Child Welfare in SA, but the need is so great that surely more people need to be aware of the tragedy of child abuse- vernal abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, hunger and malnutrition, AIDS orphans, etc. We need to do a lot more.

Q: You are working on some new albums…could you tell us more about them?
A: I am currently working on a series of educational DVDs for kids as well as new musical productions.

Q: What message would you like to give to the Youth of today?
A:Kids must be told of the Saviour who said: Let the children come to me. If they really learn to know this lover of children, their lives could really turn out for the better.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: As long as I have the opportunity, I would love to be of service to people and especially children- to bring a message of hope and a brighter future