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About

What is 46664?

46664 is Nelson Mandela’s global HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention campaign launched in 2002. The campaign asks people around the world to unite so that we can turn the tide on HIV/AIDS.

Its name comes from his prison number (466/64) when he was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 for his fight for racial equality in South Africa. Mr Mandela was already serving another prison term when he was sentenced to life. He served 18 years on Robben Island and was released on 11 February 1990 from Victor Verster Prison. In total he was incarcerated for 27 years.

Why does 46664 focus on HIV prevention?

It has been 25 years since the first “case” of HIV was diagnosed. Yet the world seems to have made little progress in stopping the spread of the AIDS epidemic. In sub-Saharan Africa, there are five new HIV infections for every person who gains access to anti-retroviral treatment. This makes the current AIDS response inherently unsustainable.

The challenge therefore is to break the cycle of new HIV infections. This is the challenge that Mr Mandela took up when he launched the 46664 campaign in 2002.

It is important to realise that HIV prevention requires complex and long-term action. In a generalised epidemic, such as we have in Africa, people need to be aware of the dangers of unprotected sex and multiple and concurrent sexual partnerships. But it is also necessary to promote an understanding of the things that fuel and aggravate the epidemic. This includes gender inequality, poverty (especially among women), poor social infrastructure, stigma and discrimination.

What does 46664 do?

The campaign does the following:

  • Develops local and global initiatives (such as huge multi-artist concerts) to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
  • Develops community outreach campaigns aimed at helping to prevent new HIV infections
  • Raises funds to support community-based HIV/AIDS projects through credible grant-making organisations in Africa
  • Works with a wide range of partners to maximise the impact of the campaign

What is unique about the 46664 campaign?

The main target audience of 46664 is the youth and young adults of the world who are most at risk of HIV infection. The campaign aims to build a network of leaders at all levels of society to educate, inform and engage young people so that they can protect themselves against infection.

Firstly, 46664 uses the international stature and moral authority of Nelson Mandela to create a global network of influential ambassadors to promote the campaign. These celebrities and icons in the fields of music, sport and entertainment, through their participation in high-profile events, promote awareness about the disease and advocate for greater protection against HIV infection.

Secondly, 46664 empowers communities – especially the young adults who are most at risk – to prevent the spread of the disease. Through creative communication tools such as theatre, 46664 is able to address the complexities of HIV/AIDS and encourage personal responsibility to avoid HIV infection.

A note about photographs used on the website

All photographs on the site are copyright 46664, unless otherwise stated. All photographs displayed on the site are taken with the utmost possible ethical care and sensitivity. Photograph subjects are not necessarily infected by or affected by HIV/AIDS.