 |
|
The stage is almost set for 46664 music spectacle
|
November 30, 2007, 07:30
Aiming to raise awareness of the global HIV/Aids pandemic, the 46664 World Aids Day concert is all set for tomorrow, with final sound checks and stage touch ups being done today, Ellis Park is almost ready. Over 20 local and international bands are going to share the stage but of course the biggest star to grace the stage will be Nelson Mandela.
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 Mandela’s prison number and has been made possible through the support of Jo'burg City. 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.
Included in the diverse line-up on the local front are The Parlotones, The Soweto Gospel Choir, Louise Carver, Malaika and Cassette. On the international front, superstars Peter Gabriel and Annie Lennox will again top the bill. They will be joined on stage by Live, Ludacris, Corinne Bailey Rae, the Goo Goo Dolls, Razorlight and Jamelia - to name but a few.
Over 35 000 people are expected to the attend the event, which Organisers say will be very secure. There will be a heavy police presence and all roads around the stadium will be closed off. There will be park and ride facilities at the Wits West Campus and Bez Valley.
Message in a bottle - listen and take action
46664 has partnered with Coca-Cola South Africa to produce a campaign that gives voice and support to initiatives in the fight against Aids.
"Our `Message in a Bottle' campaign is the culmination of four years of work driven by patience, passion and commitment," said Julian Bryant, Marketing Manager for the Coca-Cola trademark in South Africa. "As an iconic brand which has the power to influence lives and change perceptions, it is important for Coca-Cola to have a voice and an opinion. Our `Hello' campaign does just that."
In the words of Mr. Nelson Mandela, "HIV/Aid is not a disease any more, it's a human rights issue." But even though it is a pandemic of pain, loss and unbearable grief, the team behind the campaign purposely tried to set a tone that was positive with a message that we can all make a difference.
A mass outdoor campaign has been going on since November 20. "We are going to randomly place one million empty iconic Coke bottles around the country with a message from Nelson Mandela in them," said Michelle Wright, Senior Brand Manager for the Coca-Cola trademark in South Africa.
Commenting on the campaign, 46664 International Director Tim Massey said: "The Hello Campaign illustrates the power of partnerships between corporates and charities to realize a common goal - in this case to increase awareness about HIV /Aids. Coca Cola's generous donation will be used to fund the 46664 outreach activities, while the TV commercial and the outdoor activation will ensure that the 46664 campaign remains highly visible, and that Mr Mandela's appeal for help is heard by most South Africans."
Behind the number
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 Norway. edited by Tanja Bencun
|
