Already MTN Group has pledged US$10 million to the African Union and artists will compose a song that be available as a digital download in the first week of December.
It will be available in Full Track, Tru Tone and Caller Tune formats. All proceeds from sales will be donated to the African Union.
The collaboration will be a cover vision ‘We are the World’ to help raise much-needed funds to fight Ebola’.
In 80’s American musicians released ‘We are the World’ song in aid of poverty in Africa.
“Considering that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that there could be as many as 10,000 new EVD (Ebola Virus Disease) cases per week by December 2014, we needed to take immediate action,” says Larry Annetts, Chief Marketing Officer at MTN SA.
SA artists comprise of Donald, Mafikizolo, Lloyd Cele, Loyiso, Matthew Gold, Elvis Blue, Kurt Darren, The Arrows, MTN Joyous Celebration and Dr. Rebecca Malope. They will be joined by renowned artists from across the continent including Sean Tizzle (Nigeria), Jose Chameleone (Uganda), R2BEES (Ghana), Fally (DRC), Wax Dey (Cameroon), SK Originale (Ghana), Shinsoman (Zim), Gigi LaMayne (Zim), Davido (Nigeria), Chidinma (Nigeria), Sound Sultans (Nigeria), K-Cee (Nigeria), Diamond (Tanzania) and Banky W (Nigeria).
The petite and celebrated musical genius Lindelani Mkhize is the lead producer of the song.
They perform for free.
“At MTN we are humbled to be part of this initiative where we leverage on mobile telephony and the pervasive power of music to make a positive change. We are also proud to be part of a rich African community that is willing to give its time, skills and creativity for free to be an agent of change in someone else’s life.”
“We are confident that our subscribers in South Africa and across the continent will support this initiative and rally behind us and the artists as we spread this message of hope,” concludes Annetts.
MTN customers can also donate towards the cause by sending ‘Let’s End Ebola’ to 48866.
SMS costs R10.
MTN customers can download the Full tracks and Tru Tone for R10 or make it their Caller Tune for R3 by dialling *123*55#. Alternatively, the public can logon to www.mtnplay.co.za to download.
Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, have been identified as countries ravaged by Ebola.
