Scottish singer and one-time Eurythmics member Annie Lennox is launching a new charity single titled Sing on Saturday, World Aids Day.
The singer — who is a global ambassador for charity Oxfam — will be performing at former president Nelson Mandela’s 46664 Aids-campaign concert in Johannesburg on Saturday. She was also on stage at the first 46664 concert, held in Cape Town in 2003.
The single calls on women to ”sing out” on issues of HIV and Aids, Oxfam said in a statement on Friday. It features the vocal talents of 23 major female artists, including Angelique Kidjo, Madonna, Melissa Etheridge, Dido, Pink, Shakira, Fergie and Céline Dion.
The song aims to raise international awareness of the impact of HIV and Aids in South Africa, particularly the pandemic’s toll on women and children.
Money raised by the single will go to South Africa’s Treatment Action Campaign (TAC).
”I’ve seen the devastating effects that HIV and Aids has on families and communities, and I know we won’t overcome poverty unless we win the fight against Aids,” said Annie Lennox.
”That’s why I’m working with organisations like Oxfam to demand that rich and poor country governments live up to their promises and deliver healthcare for everyone, especially women. I’ve written a song, called Sing, about the Aids crisis — watch it today and be part of the fight against Aids.”
Featured on the single are the members of the TAC choir The Generics, whose 2001 song on preventing mother-to-child transmission, Jikelele, is featured on Sing.
The TAC has become the leading civil society force behind HIV and Aids treatment, prevention and care in South Africa. Since its inception in 1998, it has campaigned against Aids denialism, challenged the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies to make treatment more affordable, and cultivated community leadership on HIV/Aids.
Oxfam works directly with people affected by HIV/Aids and also lobbies for change through campaigns such as Health and Education for All, pressing governments and other donors to provide the $10-billion a year needed for universal HIV/Aids prevention work, treatment and care.
Other artists on the line-up for Saturday’s 46664 concert include Ludacris, The Parlotones, Live, Corinne Bailey Rae and Peter Gabriel.
On the net
More information on Sing
Watch Sings and a message from Annie Lennox