Hestrie's new high notes

2007-03-27 09:40

Eagan Williamson

Pretoria - It's official: South Africa's world champion high jumper is to make her debut this week as a "singer".

Hestrie Cloete, who's married to singer Jurie Els, was seen recently at a recording studio, but she didn't want to say much about her mystery visit.

But Els has confirmed in an e-mail that Cloete contributed to the composite CD, Liewe Ma (Dear Mother) where her voice can be heard on the tune Desiderata (You are a child of the big universe).

Some of the country's best known artists will be joining Els and Cloete on their Mother's Day project.

Meanwhile Cloete has been posing with her offspring Chrizette for the cover of the CD, a la Canadian superstar Celine Dion who was snapped with newly born babies, by world famous photographer Anne Geddes, for her book-and-CD release entitled Miracle.

Els said Cloete came up a while ago with the idea of putting together a Mother's Day album.

"We met Steve (Hofmeyr) at a function and Hestrie asked him if he'd write a song for the album.

Hofmeyr was already writing the lyrics of his own Liewe Ma, and he recorded it with Els in Kevin Pienaar's Street Sound Studio's as the flagship for the project.

That's where Hestrie was seen, and where she contributed to the project.

"The one tune that just had to be part of the album was Desiderata and Hestrie decided to tackle it herself, because it's not sung.

"So, everyone, Hestrie is making her debut, but not as a singer," Els emphasised.

The album will go on sale exclusively at CNA on Thursday, after which it will be available at all music outlets.

Vangie Coker, who according to Els last sang a note 12 years ago, will also move in behind the microphone for the album.

"There's such a demand for the album that we're already at work compiling Liewe Pa, for Father's Day," Els said.

- Beeld