Danny K urges community: ‘Give with a smile!’

SUZANNE BELLING

Danny K and his partner Kabelo recently launched “Smile”, a song, written by the two young men and Mi Casa as part of the their Shout – for a safer South Africa, a non-profit organisation launched in 2007 to raise funds for fighting crime in this country.

This was followed by the release of “You Are the Voice”, which raised funds for crime-focused organisations, the rehabilitation of criminals and drug addiucts, to widows and orphans of policemen killed in the line of duty  and victims of crime and rape. There are teddy bears to help psychologically traumatised children and even a Garmin to aid police vehicles with navigation!

Now “Smile” will shift the focus of the fundraising efforts slightly with the words, “Light up your world with your smile, boy; light up the world with your smile, girl…” and funds are being channelled towards education.

“We are building libraries in primary schools throughout the country and sending out a message that we should make a difference. Jews should make a difference and I am appealing to the Jewish community to support us,” Danny K told the SA Jewish Report.

“Education is the only real long-term solution to preventing crime from escalating. This option is a gift of education. The libraries encourage kids in their education and, by the end of the year, we will already have built five libraries.”

Danny K, who with Kabelo, was a recipient of the Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris Jewish Achiever Award in 2011, called on the Jewish community to “spread the word. Discuss it at your Shabbos table. All you have to do is SMS the word ‘Smile’ to 40388 which will secure a donation of R20 per SMS.

“Everything is for charity. We are all volunteers with a regular outside income. This is a tangible, easy way to help the country move forward.”

Danny K is the author of a book “Take it from Me” – part of a series by young successful South Africans.

A product of King David Linksfield, he began his musical career at Fairmount Primary School in “my very first live performance”. Throughout his school career, he was chosen for the lead in his school plays and was awarded colours in the performing arts. He also sang solo in the school choir.

“Singing came naturally to me. I went on to take guitar lessons and music (his instrument today is the piano). This and sport were my two greatest interests. I was not as talented in sport, though!”

Danny K firmly believes that “school is a good barometer of something special. In other words, children who shine in a particular area at school should play to their strengths. I always tell that to parents.”

Danny’s surname is Koppel – that’s where the “K” comes from. His father, Gavin, is the chairman of his NGO and his mother, Pam, his manager.

His musical career was a post-school choice. Initially, he graduated with a BA in law and political science from the University of the Witwatersrand and went on to obtain a degree in business management.

“I spent four years at university, writing songs and submitting them to record companies throughout my studies.” He also worked at a bank. Then he had his lucky break and recorded his debut album in 2000.

His albums are “Danny K”, “J23”, “Same Difference”, “This is My Time”, “Across the Line” and “Good Look”. Four of them were awarded gold.

“J23”, as with many of Danny K’s other works, was inspired by his late brother, Jarren, who was killed in a helicopter crash at the age of 23.

Danny is married to Lisa (formerly Gundelfinger), an advocate and is a member of the Great Park Shul. They have a young son.