Gearing up for the big event

46664 Joburg geared to go It's all systems go for the 46664 World Aids Day concert taking place at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday 1 December, with an international lineup that includes Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox, Angelique Kidjo, Corinne Bailey Rae, Razorlight, Ludacris, Goo Goo Dolls and Jamelia. More than 15 of South Africa's biggest artists and musicians will also take part, ranging from seasoned performers such 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. 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. Angelique Kidjo, who appeared at the first 46664 concert back in 2003 and has since taken on the role of an international ambassador for the charity, said this week that when she visited Robben Island just before the first 46664 concert, she "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 treated 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." 46664 was Mandela's prison number on Robben Island off 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 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 Tromso, Norway. 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. 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. 46664

The first 46664 concert took place in Cape Town in November 2003 (Photo: 46664) Nelson Mandela surrounded by the South African artists who will be performing at 46664 Johannesburg     Queen + Paul Rodgers Say It's Not True

It's a big event really. Very, very big for our town. I'm expecting some friends to come from CT and join the party. Crazy people, they're taking the Shosholoza Meyl to here! 27 hours by train, my god! Anyway... Tomorrow is AIDS Day and I hope this gig will leave a trace and raise more awareness.
Counting the hours...
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