Let me first say that the view from the German hall in the YACC is undoubtedly one of my favourites in Lüderitz and as the sun set on a balmy Monday evening it sent warm rays of light into the room and onto a crowd of Buchters, eagerly awaiting music and solidarity from Vocal Motion Six or VM6; a five part male voices group. Formed just over 11 years ago VM6 have dedicated their musical career to spreading a positive message about HIV/AIDS awareness and have been touring communities, churches and schools across Namibia since 2007 as part of the ‘Living Positive Tour’.

The show itself began in the same way that many events do; with the National Anthem. This time however instead of a slightly abashed crowd of people crooning along to a crackly recording, the anthem is truly done justice with five strong male voices singing in close harmony. The evening then quickly progresses with a series of ballads, which show off the soaring range of the groups vocal talent, interspersed with a number of inspirational messages regarding HIV/AIDS; don’t be afraid to get checked, accept your status, look after yourself, don’t stigmatise and, the AIDS awareness mantra, practice abstinence and use protection. However, the most moving moment of the evening came from a young woman, a rape victim with AIDS, who was brave enough to stand on stages across Namibia and say ‘Here I am, I have AIDS but I am still a normal person’. Her message was both inspiring and bittersweet and, I noticed, brought a tear to many an eye in the room.

It is my opinion that music is one of the most powerful tools available to mankind so the idea of using it to teach people about an issue like HIV/ AIDS, which affects nearly every single person living in the country, is a hugely important one.

The VM6 Tour was sponsored by American Organisation PEPFAR, they released their first album about five years ago and are currently working on a new one.