SA Rocks

This advert caught me completely off guard and it took me a second or two to understand what I had just watched.

Take a gander and tell me what you think:

I think it’s an absolutely brilliant flip on the concept of illustrating HIV/Aids and the recovery that is possible.

Hat tip to @Melattree

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Yes, you read that correctly. People in 156 countries all sang “All you need is love” at the very same time on the very same day in their respective countries. South Africa is in there, as are Zimbabwe and many other African countries alongside the other nations that participated.

I strangely found this incredibly moving and extremely effective. This was all done to raise awareness about HIV in Africa.

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Yes, it’s a stretch that a ringtone could make a person “Condomise”. But what if it can? What if it makes a difference?

I think that some sort of exposure to the cause of safe sex is more than necessary in today’s day and age. Teenage pregnancy, HIV/Aids, and STDs just to name a few issues that arise through unprotected sex. South Africa is no exception and in fact I’d be willing to argue that we need something like this more than India.

Why I think this is a great idea is that it has potential to “go viral” amongst the right age groups and those who need some sort of awareness raised.

Here’s the advert from India:

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This is a post contributed by Debbie Heustice is the Director of the HIV-911 Programme and the Centre for HIV/AIDS Networking.

HIV-911 – Making Referrals to Support Services so Much Easier!

If I had a Rand for every minute that I have spent searching for a number of someone who can help me with some aspect of my HIV-related work, I would be rich! Talking with a number of colleagues over the past few years, my frustrations have been echoed. Clearly, I am not alone. This frustration is even more pronounced for millions of South Africans who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS and spend countless hours, travel many kilometres, and spend what little money they have in the hope of finding treatment, care or supplementary HIV/AIDS support services when in fact those very services might be provided by an NGO, FBO or clinic in their own area.

It is our experience that there has, for many years, been a critical gap when it comes to information available about what HIV/AIDS-related services are available and where they are located.

Knowing that there are, in fact, countless HIV-related initiatives in South Africa with skills, expertise and the will to make a difference in the struggle against HIV/AIDS, the Centre for HIV/AIDS Networking (HIVAN) decided to do something. The result is the HIV-911 Programme. HIV-911 fills the service provider information gap for all South Africans as it specialises in providing referrals to over 6 500 HIV-related service providers in the country. Through this, HIV-911 also creates opportunities for the HIV/AIDS service sector, allowing service providers to network more effectively with one another, share ideas, identify potential partners and collaborators for projects, and easily locate and recommend supplementary support services for their clients.

HIV-911 was piloted extensively prior to its national launch on 29 November 2007. We knew that having a comprehensive database of HIV-related services was only part of the solution as people working in the AIDS service sector have varying and often limited access to resources and technology. We needed to create a stable of services which could connect people in the most remote places in South. This was a challenge and resulted in HIV-911 being piloted over a two year period in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

This was a very valuable learning time for us. We realised that, for some people, easy access to our database would mean going online while, for others, a paper-based directory or access to a data collection/referral line would be more appropriate. HIV-911 has, as a result, developed multiple ways of accessing its service provider database.

In January 2007 we began operating a national data collection / referral line and in November 2007 we launched our first hard copy directory series (in partnership with the Foundation for Professional Development), as well as a dedicated HIV-911 website with online search functionality. In this way, HIV-911 ensures that no-one in South Africa is excluded from receiving information on where to access HIV-related support and services.

To access the HIV-911 database of HIV/AIDS services:

* view the directory online at www.hiv911.org.za
* call the data collection / referral line on 0860 HIV (448) 911
* order provincial directories
* or access the HIV-911 database via the National AIDS Helpline

An invitation to you

HIVAN would like your help in maintaining and expanding the reach of the HIV-911 database. If you are involved in HIV-related activities (or know someone who is), please call 0860 HIV 911 to update / add new organisations with our Data Collection team.

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This is going to be a long post because Saturday the 1st of December was a long and worthy day – Aids day.

I am fairly anal and excessively organised when it comes to concerts. When the concert is an all day affair involving close to 20 musical acts, 10 females and me, I try to be as jacked and sorted as possible.

With this in mind, we arrived at the Wits park and ride at about 11:30. This was after about an hour driving around town and Wits campus looking for the park and ride. There were no signs. I am happy to report that this was probably the worst organisation of the entire event.

Once we were on the bus things began to pick up. We arrived at Ellis part, all ten of us, and managed to get ourselves Golden Circle tickets! I hadn’t booked Golden Circle but what a score (thanks Kirty). So off we went right to the front. We were probably some of the first people in the stadium which was great.

The stage was massive, elaborate and of a very high standard, it’s great to know that people take things seriously now here in SA. 46664 was plastered all over the place and the message for the day was clear: It’s in our hands.

Live front man, Ed Kowalzcyk underneath the 46664 motto.

Now before I carry on explaining how magnificent the day was, the weather turned out and the crowd was, let me explain something: Concerts of this nature are merely for the pleasure of the crowd and satisfaction of the artists. But somewhere in this mess of self satisfaction and fulfillment the message of the day hits home for some. Not all.

The message for the 46664 concert was that HIV/Aids is not a disease anymore, it has become a human rights issue. I couldn’t agree more and took this message to heart with every word in every song from every artist. I absolutely loved the concert, artists and entire day and night.

The undoubted highlight of the entire 12 hour event was the father of African freedom and liberation himself, Nelson Mandela (Madiba), coming on to stage – assisted ofcourse – and saying a speech. I am not sure if you have ever heard thousands of people (pissed or sober) shut up in a matter of seconds. It took the crowd about 10 minutes of clapping, cheering and rejoicing his presence before Madiba was allowed to get a word in. Tears flowed at the sight of the man, the crowd was visibly moved, shaken and blown away that he is still able to grab and hold the attention of so many so quickly.

No sooner had I stopped taking photos, was the man gone from the stage with every single artist performing on the day following the crowds lead and cheering, shouting and screaming their appreciation for Nelson Mandela.

Way before Madiba even arrived on stage there were some phenomenal acts that took stage.

Razorlight, Arno Carstens, Louise Carver, Cassette, Freshly Ground, Peter Gabriel (who went on for way, way, way, way too long) and many more absolutely rocked the house.

Naomi Campbell even showed face, managed to get Arno Carstens name right and pronounce 46664 without missing one of the sixes! Annie Lennox, as official spokesperson, said some very harsh, true, effective and real words. I was mightily impressed with the very collected manner in which all the artists dealt with the theme for the day. No one spoke for too long, no one harped on, placed blame or even said that we were living in sin. Everyone was accepting, graceful, eloquent and effective.

After Mandela left the stage everyone immediately asked who or what could possibly follow. The answer was Live. Live blew everyone away. Old, young, hippie, rocker, blues fan or any other were all moved by the heated, intense and deep show put on by the international superstars. The only criticism is that they were only given three songs.

The Goo Goo Dolls were next in line for me as I waited for the rocking that they could bring. And did they rock? Yes, they did.

In amongst the festivities our deputy president showed face, gave a bit of a speech, didn’t harp on for too long and moved right off the stage as if she was never even there. It’s tough to not be Nelson Mandela in politics these days. Dep. pres. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka tried her best and credit to her, but she just couldn’t get the crowd to shut up.

The day was long – as I’ve said – but well worth it. The organisation skills were impeccable, the stage rotated allowing for fast band/musician changes. This meant that the crowd enjoyed more music in ten or twelve hours than I thought was possible. Ludacris was a gangsta as only he could be and Jamelia is a stunning beauty with an incredible smile and legs that extend to the moon. Beautiful.

The last point that I would like to make is how absolutely incredible the South African performers were. Loyiso did a duet with Corinne Bailey Ray, Just Jinger rocked the house as I had forgotten they could. Goldfish absolutely blew me away – I’ve never heard them before and I’ve never seen two guys have so much fun on a stage.

Johnny Clegg managed yet again to pull together a top class act that lead in to Nelson Mandela coming on stage.

Before I begin to bore you with my consistent banter let me just show you a collection of photographs that I took (there are a lot of them so visit my 46664 set on flickr if you like).

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Photos and videos to follow. I have a 4gig memory card in toe, plus a change of clothes, plastic bag and a hope for sun!!!

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Yes, it’s true. Live have been confirmed as another international act to play at Nelson Mandela’s 46664 concert. The concert will be held on the 1st of December at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

For more info on the bands click here.

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I am so pleased to see that this years 46664 concert is not holding back with local performers. And not only that, but I know people who are buying tickets to specifically some of the local bands. Cassette is one of the bands that I am extremely excited to see. Goo Goo Dolls and Razorlight (internationally) are on the top of my list.

The other local bands include:

Arno Carstens
Cassette
Danny K
Goldfish
Jamali
Johnny Clegg
Jozi
Just Jinjer
Louise Carver
Loyiso
Malaika
The Parlotones
Prime Circle
The Soweto Gospel Choir
Vusi Mahlasela

What an amazing line-up of bands! I have already bought my tickets and hope that you are on your way to do the same. If the local bands aren’t enough to get you there to support the cause then maybe these bands will tip you over the edge:

Peter Gabriel
Annie Lennox
Corinne Bailey Rae
Razorlight
Ludacris
Goo Goo Dolls
Jamelia

If that doesn’t get your blood pumping then simply buy your ticket to support the 46664 charity and event!

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In 2003, 46664 concert was held in Cape Town. This year us Joburgers are privelaged enough to have the 46664 concert here at Ellis Park Stadium.

The concert is set to be held on World Aids Day, 1 December. Most people that I know can tell you that 46664 was Nelson Mandela’s prison number on Robben Island. Most people can tell you there is some cool international concert that happens around that number but strangely no one can tell me what exactly the 46664 organisation is, does or tries to do.

Let me enlighten you:

HIV AIDS can be beaten if people around the globe join forces to do so. Just as the world united to defeat apartheid, it can and must unite again to raise awareness about the pandemic and take action to eradicate it. As Mr. Mandela said “We hold the future of this continent in our hands.” The truth is that HIV AIDS can be both prevented and treated. All that is needed is the individual and collective commitment to do what needs to be done. Whoever you are, wherever you are, you can join with 46664 to make HIV AIDS history.

from 46664

Apparently the concert this year will feature more than 35 artists with incredible collaborations that will keep the crowds going! I can’t wait to see who will be performing. If 2003 is anything to go by we are in for a party:

* Beyoncé Knowles
* Robert Plant
* Bob Geldof
* Queen (Brian May and Roger Taylor)
* Dave Stewart
* Paul Oakenfold with Shifty Shellshock and TC
* Amampondo Drummers
* Baaba Maal
* Youssou N’Dour
* Yusuf Islam (previously known as Cat Stevens)
* Peter Gabriel
* Angelique Kidjo
* Bono and The Edge from U2
* Abdel Wright
* Chris Thompson, Zoe Nicholas, Treana Morris
* Yvonne Chaka Chaka
* Bongo Maffin
* Johnny Clegg
* Jimmy Cliff
* The Corrs
* Ladysmith Black Mambazo
* Eurythmics
* Danny K
* Watershed
* Zucchero
* Ms. Dynamite
* Andrew Bonsu
* Anastacia
* Soweto Gospel Choir

Here is a short video of the announcement featuring Madiba himself:

Brought to you by: The Times Multimedia This video was produced by Jason von Berg at The Times

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