Nelson Mandela announces 46664 World AIDS Day concert

|PIC1|Nelson Mandela has announced that the Fifth International 46664 Concert will take place on World Aids Day, Saturday 1 December 2007, at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Inspired by the vision and leadership of Mr Mandela, 46664 was launched in November 2003 with a concert in Cape Town featuring international and African artists who agreed to become 46664 ambassadors.

The aim of 46664 is to raise awareness of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, as well as funds to support the 46664 campaign. Projects in many sub-Saharan countries are already benefiting from the success of 46664 through multi-million Rand investments generated from the proceeds raised by the campaign and concerts.

Speaking at the Nelson Mandela Foundation offices in Johannesburg, Mandela said he was delighted to host yet another milestone 46664 concert in South Africa. The concert will take place on Saturday 1 December 2007, at Ellis Park, Johannesburg.

He said, "46664 is committed to HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. We create and support initiatives that deliver sustainable solutions to help combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic that is so tragically affecting our world.

"We are grateful that the City of Johannesburg has made it possible for 46664 to stage our first World Aids Day concert. Johannesburg has long asked for a concert to be held here and I am happy that we can now deliver to the people of Johannesburg. We look forward to being joined by thousands of citizens on that day."

Since the launch in 2003, further 46664 events have been held in South Africa, Spain and Norway. The campaign is now broadening its scope to engage young people through outreach activities in schools and communities in South Africa and to pursue the living legacy of Nelson Mandela's life and work.

46664 will announce new campaign ambassadors, performing artists, and celebrity guests in the coming weeks.

Existing international ambassadors will also be back to perform for Mr Mandela, demonstrating their continued commitment to the 46664 campaign.

46664 recently unveiled its new campaign to build on its past achievements and expand its outreach activities to communities and schools to engage the youth most affected by HIV and Aids.

The not-for-profit organisation says it aims to harness the universal connecting power of music, sport and entertainment to deliver its messages primarily to the youth and young adults.

Mr Mandela has also recently announced his 90th birthday 46664 concert will be celebrated in London on 27 June 2008.