Two Africans artists are using the World Cup as a backdrop to raise awareness of the work of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
46664, Mandela's campaign to prevent HIV/AIDS, has partnered with Adidas to produce daily paintings about the first World Cup to be staged in Africa. The artwork is being auctioned on the internet, with all proceeds going to the charity, named after Mandela's cell number on Robben Island, where he was imprisoned.
``This is a passion for me because the money (that) comes from this is going to kids that maybe lost their parents or one of their parents might have passed away because of AIDS,'' said Espoir Kennedy, a 32-year-old artist from Burundi who now lives in Durban.``That's always been my biggest wish, that my paintings would be spread all over the world. So I am very exited about it.''
Kennedy and Paul Junior Kasemwana are the two artists chosen to produce the paintings, which are inspired from photographs taken during World Cup matches.
As an African, Kennedy said his favorite work so far was of Ghana on the day the team beat the United States in the round of 16.
``It represents some hope for me that the only African team left in the tournament can go far,'' Kennedy said Wednesday in Sandton, an upmarket Johannesburg suburb.
Kennedy said he was chosen for the campaign because of work he had put on the Internet.
``It is my very life, and I am painting everyday,'' Kennedy said. ``If I could paint in the coming World Cup in Brazil I would be very excited.''
Kevin Kayembe, a 23-year-old artist from Congo who now lives in Johannesburg, is Kennedy's assistant, and he said he's excited to be a part of the World Cup.
``It is a chance for me to spread love,'' Kayembe said. ``46664 is also an inspiration for me, as it is a chance to do something for another person.
``For me, the point of making these paintings is to relive important football moments for people who could not attend the World Cup.''
