LOCAL musicians have joined other African artists in supporting the Eight Millennium Development Goals.

LOCAL musicians have joined other African artists in supporting the Eight Millennium Development Goals.

Hugh Masekela, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and HHP have recorded a song with Baba Maal (Senegal), Angelique Kidjo (Benin), Eric Wainaina (Kenya) and Oliver Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe).

It is called Eight Goals.

The song, which will stir souls and create awareness at individual, community and government levels, was launched on Friday at the Alexandra Football Stadium in Gauteng.

The song was composed by Jimmy Dludlu and the lyrics were written by Wainaina.

The song is part of an awareness and advocacy campaign developed by the UN on the millennium-goal initiative.

The song will be accompanied by a video and will be disseminated free of charge locally and internationally.

UN resident coordinator Agostino Zacarias said: "In the wake of the global financial crisis, we are today facing a development emergency. It is now more urgent than ever that the Eight Millennium Development Goals remain a priority and that leaders are urged to take action towards achieving them," Zacarias said.

"For the first time in history the Fifa World Cup will be hosted on African soil- significantly the continent least likely to achieve the MDGs despite considerable efforts and some progress."

The performing artists will promote the song during the soccer event, promoting the MDGs and calling for concerted action.

"The UN is very excited to work with Africa's all-stars and hopes that this project will inspire everyone to become more involved in heeding the UN secretary general's call to action.

"2010 is a year of action. Fast tracking efforts to achieve the MDGS would be a remarkable legacy of the World Cup."

The campaign is expected to bring together UN agencies, civil society, the South African government, development partners, the private sector and the people of South Africa.