Ina Skosana

Listen Up!, the official 2010 Fifa World Cup album featuring chart-topping hits such as Shakira’s “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”, has raised more than $2.5m (about R19.6m) for African causes through worldwide sales of the album and its singles.

According to www.fifa.com, the majority of the proceeds from the project – in excess of $2.3m – have been designated by Sony Music, the artists and Fifa to be contributed to 20 Centres for 2010, the official campaign of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

The remainder has been donated to various other charitable causes in Africa.

20 Centres for 2010 was initiated by Fifa to encourage positive social change in disadvantaged communities across Africa by building 20 Football for Hope Centres for education, public health and football. The centres help to promote social and human development through football long after the World Cup, leaving a tangible social legacy.

Seven of the 20 Centres have been completed in South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Mali, Lesotho, Rwanda and Ghana.

inas@thenewage.co.za