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FORMER South African president Nelson Mandela today announced a mega Aids awareness campaign, which will launch with a major concert in Cape Town on Saturday 29 November.
The international campaign - which includes the concert, telephone dial-ins, webcasts, broadcasts, CDs and DVDs - is titled after the number 46664, Mandela's prison number for the 18 years during which he was imprisoned on Robben Island near Cape Town. It aims to create awareness of the Aids pandemic in Africa.
The concert is a cornerstone of a project which commenced with Mandela assigning the 46664 number to Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, who co-wrote the song "46664 (Long Walk to Freedom)" with the late Joe Strummer and Bono. The song was subsequently recorded, and numerous artists - including Youssou Ndour - have added contributions.
"Millions of people today infected with Aids are just that - a number," explained Mandela, "They too are serving a prison sentence for life.
That's why for the first time I am allowing my prison number to brand this campaign."
Confirmed performers include Anastacia, Angelique Kidjo, Baaba Maal, Beyoncé, Bongo Maffin, Bono, Danny K, Eurythmics, Johnny Clegg & Sipho Mchunu, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Ms Dynamite, Paul Oakenfold, Queen, Ready D, The Corrs, Watershed, Youssou Ndour, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Zola and Zucchero.
Further artists and celebrities will lend their support to 46664 by way of pledges, endorsements and campaign support well into 2004.
The three hour show will be broadcast globally on 1 December - World Aids Day.
Links to related biographies can be accessed at top left of this page.
visit www.46664.com for comprehensive details, downloads and updates
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