Radiator rap for charity

A music video that calls for Africans to donate their radiators to the cold people of Norway is part of a campaign to dispel fundraising stereotypes.

The 'Africa for Norway Official Christmas Video' calls on Africans to make a difference for the Norwegian people by collecting up all their radiators and sending them where they will "spread some warmth".

The clip has had over half a million hits so far on YouTube.

The video opens with rapper "Breezy V" talking about the Scandinavian nation's weather problems.

"It's kind of just as bad as poverty if you ask me.

"People don't ignore starving people so why should we ignore cold people?"

And in the tradition of charity supergroup Band Aid, "Radi-Aid" then sing that the "tables have turned".

"Now it's Africa for Norway and there's no way we can close our eyes.

"We see that they freeze.

"Radi-Aid to Norway with a tropical breeze."

At a closer look, the video is part of a bid to dispel the exploitation of stereotypes in fundraising, improve the quality of information about Africa and encourage ethics in the media, the group says.

Africa for Norway's website asks the question: "Imagine if every person in Africa saw the 'Africa for Norway' video and this was the only information they ever got about Norway. What would they think about Norway?"

"The truth is that there are many positive developments in African countries, and we want these to become known. We need to change the simplistic explanations of problems in Africa. We need to educate ourselves on the complex issues and get more focus on how western countries have a negative impact on Africa's development."

The group also urges that aid be based on real needs, rather than "good" intentions.