Bono is among a stellar group of musicians joining forces with Nelson
Mandela to highlight the global AIDS crisis.
Anastacia, Baaba Maal, Beyonce, Johnny Clegg, The Corrs, Eurythmics,
Moloko, Ladysmith Black Mombaza, Queen, and Zucchero are among those who
will take part in a globally televised concert in Cape Town next month.
The 46664 campaign (Nelson Mandela's prison number on Robben Island for 18
years) is calling for people to give one minute and
- join a global petition via local call-in numbers on which they can hear
songs written by contributing artists
- contribute directly to the fight against AIDS in Africa
-
visit the 46664 website to
hear more music; buy exclusive 46664 tracks; download ringtones; make
donations and sign up to the campaign.
The first track - '46664 (Long Walk to Freedom)' written by Bono, Dave
Stewart and the late Joe Strummer and performed by Bono, Youssou N'Dour,
Abdel and Dave Stewart - is released today.
In London yesterday, Nelson Mandela said the 46664 campaign will pressure
governments to declare a global AIDS emergency - demanding developed country
governments give much more to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, and working to
get 3 million people living with AIDS on life saving anti-retrovirals by
2005.
'A tragedy of unprecedented proportions is unfolding in Africa,' said Mr
Mandela. 'Aids today in Africa is claiming more lives than the sum total of
all wars, famines and floods and the ravages of such deadly diseases as
Malaria.
'We must act now for the sake of the world. Aids is no longer a disease it
is a human rights issue.'
The all star concert will take place at Greenpoint Stadium in Cape Town on
November 29th - just before before World AIDS Day. As well as 40,000 people
attending the 3-hour show, it will be broadcast free around the world via
TV, webcast and radio.
In a music industry first, '46664 (Long Walk to Freedom)' will only be
available via telephone lines, then subsequently on the web at
www.46664.com
Audiences can listen by dialling different numbers throughout the world,
which will in most countries incorporate the five digits 46664. In the UK
the number is 09060 1 46664 - more country numbers as we get them.