Mozambican musician Feliciano dos Santos, campaigns for clean water, wins Environmental Prize
Listen To Massukos' album 'Bumping'
Feliciano dos Santos, leader of the group Massukos, just won the Goldman Environmental Prize for using music to raise awareness about health, water and HIV/Aids issues.
Harnessing their popularity to fight poverty, Massukos make music that is not only phenomenally beautiful but also a powerful force for change. Massukos have an enviable reputation as the country's most successful band but they are also making their mark as initiators of social change. Originating from Niassa in northern Mozambique, one of the poorest parts of Africa, Massukos speak out against the hardships that have affected their lives. Passionate about what they do, the band travels for miles to remote villages to deliver simple life-saving messages such as “more condoms less partners”.
"I started using music when I realised that it was a good way to send a message and bring people together," Santos told BBC News.
"Even when you play a loud radio, people are drawn to it. Even when it plays sounds that are not about dirty water, they just want to listen to the sounds. I realised that music had this power, so for this reason we thought it would be good to mix it with what we wanted to achieve."
Santos said the $150,000 Goldman prize money would not change his life but it would help focus attention on what was happening on the ground in Mozambique and Africa.
"It shows that even if you live in poor places, such as Niassa, you can have an influence on the world. Let's not talk about the money, let's do things that can change the world. Don't think about awards, think about quality of life."
Santos said the $150,000 (£75,000) prize money would not change his life but it would help focus attention on what was happening on the ground in Mozambique and Africa.
