FORMER PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA WELCOMES CREAM OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MUSICAL TALENT TO 46664 JOHANNESBURG CONCERT
1 DECEMBER 2007, ELLIS PARK STADIUM, JOHANNESBURG, S.A.
More than forty of South Africa’s biggest artists and musicians will join Nelson Mandela’s call today, Monday October 29, when the former president makes a public appearance at Ellis Park Stadium Johannesburg, SA, for a further announcement of the performance line up for the forthcoming 46664 World AIDS Day concert to be hosted at Ellis Park on December 1.
The concert is the fifth 46664 event staged at points across the world since the founding in 2002 of the HIV AIDS charity which carries Nelson Mandela’s prison number and has been made possible through the support of Joburg City.
An announcement earlier this month brought news of global support for the event from a host of international artists including Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox, Corinne Bailey Rae, Razorlight, Ludacris, Goo Goo Dolls and Jamelia.
Today’s event confirms additional appearances by a further fifteen acts drawn from the biggest names in South African music, as well as a return by World artist Angelique Kidjo, who made a well-remembered appearance at the first 46664 concert back in 2003 and has since taken on the role of an international ambassador to the charity.
Says Angelique: “I visited Robben Island just before the first 46664 concert and I understood that Nelson Mandela could not have spent all these years standing up for his continent just to let it be hurt by a disease that can be prevented and cured if there is a strong political will. That’s the message we will be sending this time: we will not forget about this until change is made!”
The South African bands and artists being announced between them account for millions of record sales each year and in their diversity reach out across the entire mixed population of the country.
“The 46664 message is one that needs to be heard in every corner of our country, and indeed, the world. These artists between them reach into every one of our communities – upholding Mr. Mandela’s message that HIV AIDS is not a local issue, but a universal one”, said a spokesman for 46664.
The artists range from such seasoned South African performers as Johnny Clegg, the Soweto Gospel Choir, Just Jinjer and rocker Arno Carstens to hot new acts such as rock bands The Parlotones and Cassette, and R&B female trio Jamali.
As well as performing their own sets, some of the artists are expected to be seen in collaborations with visiting artists.
The 46664 Joburg South African artists are:
Arno Carstens Cassette Danny K Goldfish Jamali Johnny Clegg Jozi Just Jinjer Louise Carver Loyiso Malaika The Parlotones Prime Circle The Soweto Gospel Choir Vusi Mahlasela
Speaking of their involvement with the 46664 Joburg concert for Nelson Mandela, the artists said:
ARNO CARSTENS: “We are extremely proud to participate in Mr Mandela’s global AIDS awareness campaign, thank you for including us on the lineup.”
CASSETTE: “It is not only the greatest honour an artist could ever receive to play at the request of Nelson Mandela, but possibly an even greater honour that our efforts will contribute towards one of the most important initiatives of our time. In his endeavour to eliminate AIDS as a major threat to the lives of millions of human beings, we implore the people of South Africa to come out in support of Mr. Nelson Mandela’s 46664 concert 2007.”
DANNY K: “I will be participating in my third 46664 concert, a cause that is very close to me, and I feel privileged to be assisting Madiba. As South Africans we have a responsibility to continue to spread the message about HIV AIDS until it is eradicated from the world.”
GOLDFISH: “We are extremely excited and truly honoured to be part of this event, a great charity and such a great cause for such a great man. Also, to be playing alongside this amazing array of artists is such a wonderful experience for us. Mr Mandela is such a huge inspiration and globally positive force, and we are so proud to be associated with him and his event bringing musicians from all over the world to unite the rest of the world for this cause.”
JAMALI: “We are honoured to be affiliated with a cause initiated by the greatest man alive, Mr Nelson Mandela”
JOHNNY CLEGG: “It is a great privilege to be invited to the 5th international 46664 concert against HIV AIDS. Former President Nelson Mandela is the first Senior South African politician who very early on took a clear and unequivocal stand regarding HIV AIDS in SA and globally. This concert for me shows a strong sense of continuity and commitment and it’s an honour to be one of the many musicians invited to support this initiative. This comes in a context where AIDS denialism and tardiness has become a depressing feature of our landscape from time to time.
JOZI: “It is always an honour playing for a cause that helps heal the continent in any positive way. Viva 46664 viva.”
JUST JINJER: “One of the greatest achievements we’ve had as a band is to have the honour of being associated with such a great man for so long. We feel privileged once again to extend our message of ‘peace and love’ towards this most important cause.” Art Matthews – (lead singer)
LOUISE CARVER: “It is an absolute honour to have been chosen to perform at the most important fund raising event of the year. To be able to share the stage with such brilliant performers whilst contributing positively to such a hands-on charity will be a major career highlight for me.”
LOYISO: “In all my success and accomplishments in my career over the years, this is without a doubt the greatest honour that I could receive. To be a part of such a prestigious event alongside the world’s most inspirational man, Nelson Mandela, pushes the boundaries of personal accomplishment and is something that I will treasure for the rest of my life!”
MALAIKA: “We feel very privileged to be associated with one of the most powerful individuals in the world, Mr Nelson Mandela, and honoured to be part of the great cause in raising money for the 46664 charity.”
THE PARLOTONES: “We feel honoured to be part of a huge event to create sustained awareness around probably the biggest pandemic facing Africa. The great thing is we get to show our support by doing what we love and that’s playing music, and obviously the possibility of meeting one of the most important men in world history is overwhelming.” – Kahn Morbee (lead singer).
PRIME CIRCLE: “HIV AIDS is everyone’s problem, and it is a GREAT HONOUR to use our music in the fight against it with Mr Nelson Mandela who has changed the future of South Africa.”
THE SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR: “Soweto Gospel Choir is truly excited to be performing at this year’s 46664 concert as Ambassadors for Mr Mandela. The choir’s first appearance in 2003 was one of their most memorable experiences in their five year career, and they feel that this concert will be even more special. They have long been associated with AIDS awareness campaigns, helping where and when they can, to support those affected and infected by this overwhelming pandemic. To be called upon to support this campaign is an honour and a duty the choir takes passionately in the hope that they can contribute to this worthy cause.”
VUSI MAHLASELA: “It is indeed a great honour to be involved as an ambassador for Tata Madiba’s 46664 campaign. I am also thrilled to be asked to perform at the Joburg show in December. As a young and fragile democracy we still have many pressing social issues, and if I can do anything to raise further awareness around the HIV AIDS one, I am always willing to lend my voice. Remember it’s in our hands, so make yours work and go get a ticket to the show!”
Tickets for the concert are priced from R120-00 (excluding service fee) and are available from Computicket. Call on 083 915 800 or visit website at www.computicket.com for more information.
Background Information:
46664 was the prison number of Nelson Mandela on Robben Island, Cape Town where he was held in captivity for 18 years. He was the 466th prisoner to be incarcerated on the island in 1964. In 2002 Mr Mandela gave his prison number 46664 to Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, who along with fellow artists Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, was instrumental in persuading over 30 of the world’s great artists to join Nelson Mandela at an all-star concert in Cape Town in November 2003 in aid of 46664. Through radio and television coverage, the concert delivered the 46664 message to more than 2 billion people in 166 countries, the most widely distributed media event in history. Similar events have since been staged in George, South Africa, Madrid, Spain, and Tromsø, Norway.
Under the guidance of Nelson Mandela, 46664 is a campaign vehicle of the Nelson Mandela charitable organisations. 46664’s aim is to raise awareness of the global HIV AIDS pandemic, as well as funds to support the ongoing 46664 campaign and the HIV AIDS projects it directly supports throughout sub-Saharan Africa. 46664’s project funds develop and support practical programmes for the prevention, testing, care and support for those infected and affected by HIV AIDS in Africa.
46664 recently unveiled its 2007/2008 campaign which will build on its past achievements and expand its outreach activities to communities and schools to engage the youth most affected by HIV AIDS.
The not-for-profit organisation harnesses the universal connecting power of music, sport and entertainment to deliver its messages primarily to children and young adults. The campaign is driven by well recognised figures in these fields thereby capturing the attention of youth world-wide.
46664 – It’s in our hands. Visit www.46664.com